Mometasone Nasal Spray

About mometasone

Key points

• Reduces swelling and irritation in the nose
• Treat symptoms such as nasal congestion
• High success rate

Buy mometasone nasal spray online

You can buy mometasone nasal spray online from Chemist Click, by completing an online questionnaire. After assessment by a UK pharmacist, your order will be sent out using an express delivery service.
 

What is mometasone nasal spray?

Mometasone nasal spray is an effective steroid treatment for hay fever and allergies (allergic rhinitis). 

This nasal spray can help to prevent and treat the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, including congestion, sneezing, an itchy and runny nose, and watery, red itching eyes.

Mometasone nasal spray contains the active ingredient mometasone furoate — a potent steroid that is used to reduce inflammation and treat the symptoms this causes. Mometasone furoate belongs in the glucocorticoid (a class of corticosteroids) family of medicines. Because of this, mometasone nasal spray is a prescription-only hay fever treatment. 

Mometasone is also sold under the brand names Clarinaze and Nasonex nasal spray in the UK.
 

What is mometasone nasal spray used for?

Mometasone is used for the prevention and treatment of year-round and seasonal allergy (hay fever) symptoms. 

Common allergy symptoms include:

• A blocked nose
• A runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itching
• Congestion

Mometasone nasal spray can also be used to treat nasal polyps, which are growths in the nose. The medicine is suitable for both adults and children. 

As well as a nasal spray, mometasone also comes in other forms, such as an inhaler for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a cream or lotion for skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis. 
 

How does it work?

Mometasone nasal spray suppresses the response of the body’s immune system to allergies, reducing common allergy symptoms such as swelling and itching.

Mometasone nasal spray contains a type of steroid as the active ingredient. When administered, this steroid prevents cells in the nasal passage from releasing chemicals that cause symptoms such as a runny, blocked and itchy nose.  

When mometasone furoate is sprayed into the nostrils, it begins to reduce inflammation immediately — decreasing swelling and mucus in the nose. 

How to use mometasone nasal spray:

Mometasone nasal spray is easy to use. To use mometasone, you should:

• Blow your nose gently and close one nostril using your finger 
• Tilt your head forward and put the nozzle into the open nostril
• Slowly breathing in through the nose, press on the nozzle to spray once into the nostril, before breathing out via the mouth
• Repeat the process for the other nostril

Always use mometasone nasal spray exactly how your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You can always check if you are not sure, or refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with your treatment. Alternately, see our instructions tab. 

How long does mometasone nasal spray take to work?

Mometasone does not always take effect immediately — it can take a little time to see the full benefit of this medicine.

Some people may feel relief from symptoms within 12 hours of their first dose. You should feel the full effects of mometasone nasal spray within two or three days. However, it may take up to two weeks for mometasone to be effective (although this is unusual).

It is recommended that people with seasonal allergies begin taking the medication two to four weeks before the season starts. In some cases, your doctor or pharmacist may advise taking another allergy drug along with mometasone until it starts taking effect.

Mometasone instructions

Hay fever and allergic rhinitis

Two sprays to be sprayed into each nostril, reduced to one spray in each nostril once control has been achieved. 
 

Nasal Polyps

Two sprays daily for 5-6 weeks into each nostril, increased to two sprays into each nostril twice daily. Reduce to the lowest effective dose once control has been achieved.

You should never exceed the recommended mometasone nasal spray dosage in 24 hours. If you accidentally go over the correct dose and it is a one-off, it is unlikely to be harmful. However, repeatedly exceeding your recommended dosage can result in adverse side effects and damage to your nostrils.   

Mometasone ingredients

Active ingredient: Mometasone furoate 50mcg

Inactive ingredients: Dispersible cellulose, sodium citrate, glycerol, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, purified water

Important note: Whilst the active ingredient will remain the same, there may be differences in inactive ingredients, depending on the manufacturer. For a full list of side effects, you should always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicatio

Mometasone side effects

Most people do not experience side effects. However, like all medication, side effects are possible. Side effects of mometasone nasal spray include:

Common: Affecting up to 10% of users

• Headache
• Sneezing
• Nose bleeds
• Pain in the nose or throat
• Ulcers inside the nose
• Respiratory tract infection

Unknown frequency

• Increase in eye pressure
• Nasal damage
• Changes in smell and taste
• Blurred vision

If you experience any of the following side effects, seek urgent medical attention:

• Swelling of the nose, throat, mouth, face and eyes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Itchy skin

You should report all side effects to your GP or pharmacist.
 

Does mometasone nasal spray have any long-term side effects?

Mometasone nasal spray is not known to cause long-term side effects. It is considered to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment.

Mometasone warnings

Mometasone nasal spray isn’t suitable for everyone. Do not use this medication if:

• You are allergic to mometasone furoate or any other ingredients in the spray (a full list of ingredients can be found in the patient information leaflet)
• You have an untreated infection in your nose
• You have recently injured or had an operation on your nose
• You have a history of tuberculosis

Seek advice from your GP or pharmacist before using this medication if:

• You have recently, are currently or are planning to take any other mediation
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant
• You have or have previously had tuberculosis
• You currently have any type of infection
• You are taking any other steroid medication
• You have cystic fibrosis
• You have glaucoma or cataracts

During treatment, consult with your GP or pharmacist if:

• You feel as though your immune system is not functioning well
• You have a throat or nasal infection
• You have been using this medication for several months
• You are experiencing constant irritation in your nose or throat

Mometasone while pregnant

Nasal steroids have very little absorption into the bloodstream. You can safely use mometasone nasal spray if you are pregnant.

Mometasone while breastfeeding

Mometasone nasal spray can be safely used whilst breastfeeding.

Mometasone interactions

Do no use mometasone nasal spray with any other nasal steroids.

Always inform your GP or pharmacist if you are using, or planning to use other nasal formulations.

Mometasone alternatives

Mometasone vs fluticasone?

Fluticasone, also sold under the brand name Avamys nasal spray in the UK, is another steroid treatment that is used to prevent and relieve common allergy symptoms. Like mometasone, it works by reducing the inflammation which causes hay fever and allergy symptoms.

Fluticasone’s active ingredient, fluticasone furoate, works in a similar way to mometasone furoate, the active ingredient in mometasone. Mometasone and fluticasone nasal sprays are both intranasal corticosteroids.
 

Mometasone vs beclomethasone

Beclometasone is another nasal spray that can prevent and relieve cold-like allergy symptoms. It is also sold under the brand name Beconase in the UK. 

Like mometasone, beclomethasone is a steroid medicine that can reduce inflammation and ease congestion.

Another similarity between mometasone and beclomethasone is that, in addition to a nasal spray, they come in other forms such as anti-inflammatory creams to treat skin conditions, and inhalers to treat asthma and COPD. However, unlike mometasone, beclomethasone comes in tablets, which can be used to treat other conditions such as ulcerative colitis. 

Dosage can also vary between the two medicines. 

Mometasone alternatives

1. NHS UK. (n.d.). Mometasone Nasal Spray. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/mometasone-nasal-spray/

2. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Mometasone Furoate 50 micrograms/dose Nasal Spray, Suspension. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10299