Mometasone nasal spray

NHS information about mometasone nasal spray, including what this medicine is used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.

Mometasone also comes as an inhaler, cream, ointment and lotion to treat other conditions.

What mometasone nasal spray is for

Mometasone nasal spray is a steroid medicine.

It eases swelling and irritation in your nose and can help with symptoms including an itchy nose, sneezing and a blocked or runny nose.

You can take it to treat and prevent hay fever and other allergies like a pet allergy.

For painless, soft growths inside your nose (nasal polyps), mometasone can reduce swelling and shrink the size of the growths.

There’s also a prescription-only nasal spray that contains mometasone combined with an antihistamine.

How to use mometasone nasal spray

Mometasone comes as a liquid that you spray into your nose (nasal spray). You’ll usually use it once a day.

The usual starting dose:

• for adults and children aged 12 years and older: 2 sprays in each nostril
• for children aged 3 to 11 years: 1 spray in each nostril

Once your symptoms have improved, you may be able to reduce your dose.

For allergic rhinitis, this medicine takes a few days to work, so keep using it even if your symptoms do not get better immediately.

If you’re using it to treat nasal polyps, it may take several weeks for your symptoms to improve. Speak to your doctor if you feel no better after 5 to 6 weeks.

Do not use the spray more often than it says in the instructions. If you bought it in a shop or pharmacy, do not have more than 4 sprays in 24 hours. If you have it on prescription, follow the advice from your doctor.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems using it.

How to use a nasal spray

If you’re using a new bottle, or you’ve not used it for a while, pump the spray a few times until a fine mist comes out of the top of the bottle (the nozzle).

1. Shake the bottle and remove the cap.
2. Gently blow your nose.
3. Push your finger against the side of one nostril.
4. Tilt your head forward slightly and, keeping the bottle upright, put the nozzle in the other nostril.
5. Start to breathe in slowly through your nose.
6. Spray the mist into your nostril and breathe it in.
7. Breathe out through your mouth.
8. Repeat with your other nostril.
9. Wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the cap.

Clean the nozzle and cap once a week, or more often if the spray gets blocked.

Side effects of mometasone nasal spray

Like all medicines, mometasone nasal spray can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of mometasone nasal spray include:

• headache
• a dry or painful nose or throat
• nosebleeds

Mometasone nasal spray will not usually affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery, but some people may get blurred vision when using it. If this happens to you, wait until this has gone away.

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of mometasone nasal spray.

For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website

Who can and cannot use mometasone nasal spray

Most adults can use mometasone nasal spray. It's sometimes also prescribed for children aged 3 years or older.

But mometasone nasal spray is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or other serious side effect from mometasone nasal spray or another steroid (corticosteroid)
• you have a nasal infection that is not currently being treated
• you recently had nasal surgery
• you have tuberculosis (TB)

Before using mometasone nasal spray, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and mometasone nasal spray

You can usually use mometasone nasal spray while breastfeeding, but if you are buying it without a prescription check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects from medicine you're taking, but speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and mometasone nasal spray

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

They may suggest other ways to manage your symptoms, or they may say it’s OK to use mometasone nasal spray while pregnant.

If you are planning to buy mometasone nasal spray without a prescription, speak to a pharmacist or doctor first.

Find out more about treating allergic rhinitis during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Using mometasone nasal spray with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with mometasone nasal spray.

These include:

• other steroid medicines (corticosteroids), particularly steroid injections or steroid tablets
• some medicines for HIV, including ritonavir and cobicistat

Before using mometasone nasal spray, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with mometasone nasal spray

You can eat and drink as normal while using mometasone nasal spray.

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

• check the leaflet that comes with it
• search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
• speak to a pharmacist or a doctor for advice