Nasonex

Nasonex nasal spray is used as treatment and prevention of the symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever include the runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching. This nasal spray is also used in treating nasal polyps in adults.

A corticosteroid, mometasone works by preventing the release of allergy-causing substances from certain cells. This is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

If you are about to start Nasonex, speak with your doctor about what you need to know. The risks and benefits the medicine offer must be weighed.

For Nasonex, you and your doctor must consider the following:

Allergies.

If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, including mometasone, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - foods, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Pediatric.

Safety and efficacy of this medicine for children is not yet established.

Geriatric.

Studies show that there is no link between geriatric-specific problems and the efficacy and usefulness of this drug.

Pregnancy.

No adequate studies in pregnant women or animals are done in order to determine whether this drug is harmful to the fetus or not.

Breastfeeding.

Although there are no adequate studies in lactating mothers that determine potential risk in an infant when breastfeeding, the potential benefits should be weighed against the risks before taking this medication.

Drug Interactions.

Certain medicines have adverse effects when used together. Nevertheless, it is still possible to take other medicines when taking mometasone. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary.

Before taking this drug, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. This especially includes Pixantrone and Ketoconazole.

Other Medical Problems.

The use of this medicine may be affected if you suffer from other medical conditions. Inform your doctor of any other health problems is present, especially an existing or history of glaucoma or cataract, herpes simplex infection of the eyes, or tuberculosis.

If you have a recent injury to the nose, nose surgery, or ulcers or sores in the nose, using this drug may prevent effective healing of these conditions. If you have an existing liver disease, the risk of side effects is higher, due to the increased level of mometasone in the blood.

Proper usage of Nasonex requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Using more than the amount prescribed may only cause unwanted effects because of the increased risk of absorption through the nose lining.

This spray is intended only for use in the nose; avoid contact of the product with the eyes. If the product accidentally gets in the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water and call your doctor. Use this product regularly as your doctor ordered.

It usually starts working in a couple of days, but the full effects may start to manifest 2 weeks after the treatment begins. Before using this medicine for other nasal problems other than viral, fungal, or bacterial nasal infections, consult your doctor.

Before each use, shake the bottle thoroughly. For the first use, priming the bottle is necessary. You can do this by pumping the bottle about 10 times or until a fine spray comes out.

If you stopped using the spray for 7 days or longer, prime it once more by releasing 2 sprays. Blow your nose gently to clear the nostrils before using the spray. Stand up or sit up straight with your head tilted slightly forward. Insert the tip of the spray into one of your nostrils. Spray.

Gently breath inward through the nose and then exhale through the mouth. Repeat procedure on the other nostril. After using, wipe the tip of the spray bottle with a clean cloth or tissue. Replace cap.

Dosing.

The use of mometasone spray depends on the patient's age, weight, and symptoms, as well as the strength of the medicine. Do not change the dosage the doctor indicated unless he or she told you otherwise. The number of doses and the number of hours between doses generally depend on the reason why you are using this drug. Generally, dosage will be as follows:

• For adults and children 12 years old and above with allergic rhinitis, the usual dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. For children 2 to 11 years old, the usual dose is 1 spray per nostril per day, while for children younger than 2 years, the dose will be determined by the doctor.
• In preventing allergic rhinitis, adults and children 12 years and older can use up to two sprays per nostril per day. The same goes for adults who have nasal polyps. Each spray has 50 mcg of mometasone.

Missed dose.

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. In case it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and follow your regular dosing schedule. Never take double doses.

Storage.

Keep the medicine in an airtight container at normal room temperature. Keep it away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Do not let it freeze. Keep the medicine out of children’s reach. After using 120 sprays from the bottle, throw the mometasone spray away, regardless if it still has some medicine left in it.

Before using Nasonex, there are some precautions you must take. Regular checkups with your doctor are important to make sure the medicine is working properly and also to check any unwanted side effects.

Using this drug may cause oral thrush or fungal infection in the mouth or throat. If you notice white patches in your mouth or throat, or experience pain when swallowing or eating, consult your doctor. Moreover, using this medicine may heighten your risk of having nasal problems other than allergic rhinitis.

Consult your doctor if you have sores or bloody mucus inside the nose, or if you have unexplainable nosebleeds while using this medicine. Consult your doctor about any allergic reaction to this medicine, such as breathing difficulty or wheezing. If you never had chickenpox or measles, avoid contact with people who have these conditions.

Inform your doctor right away if you think you had an exposure to measles or chickenpox. The risk for adrenal gland problems is higher for those who are using too much of this drug or using it for an extended period.If you experience diarrhea, skin darkening, dizziness, fainting, appetite loss, mental depression, skin rash, nausea, weight loss, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Children using this medicine may grow more slowly than usual. If symptoms become worse or do not improve within a few days, or if you have any other concerns, talk to your doctor. Do not take other drugs, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamin, and herbal supplements without your doctor’s advice.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Nasonex to avoid unwanted potential side effects. Not all the side effects listed below may not need medical attention.

If any of these occur, consult your doctor immediately:

• A cough or hoarseness
• Bloody mucus or unexplained nosebleeds
• Chills
• Fever
• Cold or Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Increased cramping or pain during menstrual periods
• Pain of the bone or muscle
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Chest pain
• Discharge or Redness in the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• Pain in the ear
• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties
• Wheezing
• Sores inside the nose
• White patches inside the mouth or nose
• Fast heartbeat
• Incidence not known
• Swallowing difficulties
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Itching, Puffiness, or Swelling of the eyelids
• Skin rash
• Itching or Swelling around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Large, hive-like swelling on the eyelids, face, lips, throat, tongue, legs, feet, hands, or sex organs
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

While most of these side effects usually diminish as the body adjusts to the drug, calling your doctor may be needed. Some patients may experience side effects not listed above. If you want to report side effects, you may do so by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.