Mometasone at a glance
Medicine class
Corticosteroid; inhaled, used inside the nose, or applied to the skin or scalp.
Inhaler role
A preventer for persistent asthma, not a reliever for a sudden asthma attack.
After inhaling
Rinse the mouth with water and spit it out to reduce oral thrush.
Skin preparations
Cream suits less dry areas; ointment suits very dry, scaly or cracked skin; scalp lotion is designed for affected scalp sites.
What is Mometasone used for?
Uses depend on the formulation.
Asmanex Twisthaler: control of persistent asthma in adults and adolescents within its licensed age range.
Clarinaze Allergy Control nasal spray: symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis in adults.
Ovixan cream and mometasone ointment: inflammatory, itchy skin conditions responsive to topical corticosteroids, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, but not widespread plaque psoriasis.
Elocon Scalp Lotion: inflammatory and itchy scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.
How does Mometasone work?
Mometasone binds to glucocorticoid receptors inside cells and changes inflammatory gene activity. This reduces inflammatory mediators, easing swelling, redness, itching, mucus production or airway inflammation where the medicine is used.
Mometasone preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 1 mg/g, 0.1% w/w
Ointment
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 0.1% w/w
Nasal preparation
Route: Nasal
Strengths: 50 micrograms, 0.05%, 0.05% w/w
How to take Mometasone
Follow the instructions for the specific device or topical preparation; formulations are not interchangeable.
Twisthaler: inhale rapidly and deeply through the mouthpiece. Do not breathe out into the device, keep it dry, and rinse the mouth afterwards without swallowing the water. It does not replace a reliever inhaler.
Nasal spray: shake and prime it as described in the leaflet, gently clear the nose, keep the bottle upright with the head slightly forward, breathe in gently during spraying, then wipe the nozzle and replace the cap.
Cream or ointment: smooth a thin layer onto affected skin in the direction of hair growth. Wash your hands afterwards unless treating them. Leave a gap before applying an emollient or another skin product.
Scalp lotion: place the nozzle directly over affected scalp areas, apply carefully and massage until the lotion disappears. Wash your hands afterwards.
Avoid the eyes. Do not cover treated skin with an airtight dressing unless specifically instructed. Keep clothing and bedding contaminated with topical preparations away from naked flames.
Mometasone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Inhaler: oral thrush, sore throat, hoarse voice and headache.
- Nasal spray: headache, unpleasant taste or smell, sneezing, nosebleed, or a dry or sore nose or throat.
- Skin or scalp: brief burning or stinging, irritation, dryness or changes in skin colour.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including facial or throat swelling and severe breathing difficulty.
- Sudden wheeze or breathing difficulty immediately after inhalation.
- New visual disturbance, eye pain, persistent nasal sores or a nosebleed that will not stop.
- Worsening skin infection, pus-filled bumps during psoriasis treatment, marked skin thinning, or a severe rebound or withdrawal reaction.
- Systemic corticosteroid effects, including adrenal suppression, are uncommon but become more likely with extensive, prolonged or combined steroid exposure.
Mometasone in pregnancy
UK patient guidance states that nasal and topical mometasone can be used during pregnancy because systemic absorption is low. Inhaled corticosteroids should generally be continued when needed to maintain asthma control; uncontrolled breathing problems can endanger mother and baby. Discuss treatment with the prescriber, particularly with extensive potent topical treatment or several corticosteroid medicines.
Mometasone while breastfeeding
Inhaled, nasal and topical mometasone can generally be used while breastfeeding because exposure is expected to be very small. Prevent the baby from touching treated skin and wash your hands after applying it. If treatment is needed on the breast, seek professional advice and remove it before feeding.
Mometasone interactions
Important interactions are uncommon with local treatment, but systemic corticosteroid exposure can increase.
Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including ritonavir, cobicistat, itraconazole and ketoconazole
They can reduce mometasone breakdown and increase systemic corticosteroid adverse effects; check the combination with a prescriber or pharmacist.
Other corticosteroid medicines
Using several steroid products can increase total exposure and the risk of adrenal suppression and other systemic effects.
Herbal remedies and supplements
Common questions about Mometasone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is mometasone furoate a steroid?
Yes. It is a corticosteroid that acts locally to reduce inflammation; it is not an anabolic steroid.
Can a mometasone inhaler stop an asthma attack?
No. It is preventive treatment and does not act quickly enough for a sudden attack. Use the prescribed reliever and follow the asthma action plan.
Why should I rinse my mouth after using the inhaler?
Rinsing and spitting removes medicine left in the mouth and reduces oral thrush and throat effects.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.