Mometasone (Nasal)

Brand Names : Nasonex

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nasal mometasone, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mometasone or other corticosteroids. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Nasal mometasone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in animal studies, mometasone, given by injection, was shown to cause birth defects. Also, too much use of corticosteroids during pregnancy may cause other unwanted effects in the infant, such as slower growth and reduced adrenal gland function.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether nasal mometasone passes into breast milk. Although most medications pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of nasal mometasone in children up to 3 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Although there is no specific information comparing use of nasal corticosteroids in the elderly with use in other age groups, they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of nasal mometasone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cataracts - Long-term use of nasal corticosteroids may cause cataracts
• Glaucoma - Long-term use of nasal corticosteroids may worsen glaucoma by increasing the pressure within the eye

• Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or
• Infections (virus, bacteria, or fungus) - Nasal corticosteroids may cover up the signs of these infections or cause a serious course of infection

• Injury to the nose (recent) or
• Nose surgery (recent) or
• Sores in the nose - Nasal corticosteroids may prevent proper healing of these conditions
• Kidney problems or
• Liver problems - Studies on the effects of nasal mometasone on the kidney or liver have not been done.

• Sensitivity to mometasone or other nasal corticosteroids

• Tuberculosis (active or history of) - Nasal corticosteroids may cover up the signs of this infection or cause it to start up again