Mometasone Furoate

About Mometasone Furoate

On the skin, the labels place the cream and ointment in the medium range of potency. A thin film, or a few drops of lotion, goes on once a day until the skin is controlled, with a review if there is no improvement within two weeks. The cream and ointment are labeled from age 2 and the lotion from 12, and safety in children beyond three weeks has not been established. Burning, itching and thinning skin are the most common side effects. Heavy or prolonged use can suppress the adrenal glands, more easily in children, and topical steroids can raise the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. It is not used in the diaper area or, unless the prescriber says so, on the face, groin or underarms or under bandages.

In the nose, the spray is sold over the counter for hay fever symptoms in adults and children 2 and older. Prescription generic sprays, also 50 mcg per spray, are labeled for preventing seasonal allergy symptoms from age 12, started two to four weeks before pollen season, and for nasal polyps in adults. The labels warn about nosebleeds, nasal sores, a hole in the septum, slower growth in children, eye problems and a worse course of chickenpox or measles. Asmanex asthma inhalers also contain mometasone but are separate products.

Taking Mometasone Furoate

How to take it

Skin: apply a thin film, or massage in a few drops of lotion, once a day, then wash your hands; keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Nose: shake the bottle, prime a new one until a fine mist appears (and again after a week unused), blow your nose and spray while sniffing gently. The over-the-counter label says relief may start within 12 hours.

If you miss a dose

Use it as soon as you remember, unless the next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Do not use extra to make up.

Storage

At room temperature, closed and out of reach of children. Protect the spray from light, and do not share the bottle.

Interactions to know about

Ritonavir, cobicistat, atazanavir, clarithromycin and ketoconazole can raise the amount absorbed from the spray, and other steroid medicines add to the total dose. Call the prescriber after contact with chickenpox, measles or tuberculosis, or for vision changes, frequent nosebleeds or a whistling sound from the nose.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Mometasone Furoate differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

The skin forms are older generics from several makers, so quotes differ mainly by dispensing fee, markup and the tube size written. Cream, ointment and lotion are separate products and cannot be swapped without the prescriber.

A prescription spray carries a dispensing fee, while the over-the-counter spray, including some store brands made under the same FDA approval as Nasonex 24HR Allergy, is a shelf item. At the polyp dose of two sprays in each nostril twice a day, a 120-spray bottle lasts about two weeks.

Ways to pay less for Mometasone Furoate without insurance

• If your spray is for hay fever symptoms, ask the prescriber whether the over-the-counter spray, the same 50 mcg per spray, would suit you.
• For nasal polyps, ask for enough bottles to cover a month.
• If the prescriber is happy with either, ask for quotes on both the cream and the ointment.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Mometasone Furoate

1. 1.How long should I use it on my skin, and where should I avoid it?
2. 2.Is the over-the-counter spray the same as my prescription?
3. 3.How do I prime and use the spray?
4. 4.Does it interact with my HIV or antifungal medicine?
5. 5.Is it safe for my child, and for how long?

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