Brand Name

Nasonex {Merck}

Generic Name

mometasone nasal, pronounced moe MET a sone

---

Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Nasonex?

Nasonex is used to help prevent and treat nasal symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. You may also be prescribed Nasonex to treat nasal polyps, or growths in your nose. Nasonex may also be prescribed for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Nasonex

Nasonex is a steroid and works by preventing the release of substances in your body that cause inflammation. Sometimes steroids can affect growth in children. Talk to your doctor if your child is being treated with Nasonex and you feel that he or she is not growing well.

You should avoid being near people who are ill or have infections because Nasonex can lower the blood cells that help your body to fight infections. If you are exposed to chicken pox or measles contact your doctor right away, as these conditions may become serious or fatal in people who use Nasonex.

Only use the dose of Nasonex that your doctor has prescribed for you, and do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends. Be sure to follow all of the instructions on your prescription to use Nasonex safely. It may take up to two weeks for symptoms to start improving while using Nasonex. Your doctor can answer any questions you may have about your individual risks, and benefits, for using Nasonex.

Nasonex is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Nasonex can be harmful to an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Nasonex. Do not use Nasonex if you are breast-feeding as it is not known if Nasonex passes into breast milk.

Before You Take Nasonex

You should not take Nasonex if you are allergic to mometasone.

If you have been ill recently or had an infection you may not be able take Nasonex until you are back to good health. Your doctor will tell you when you should begin your treatment with Nasonex.

You should talk to your doctor before taking Nasonex if you are allergic to any medications or if you have tuberculosis or another infection.

If you have glaucoma or cataracts you should tell your doctor before taking Nasonex.

Tell your doctor if you have herpes simplex virus of your eyes, sores or ulcers inside your nose, or if you have recently had an injury to or surgery on your nose, as you may not be a candidate to take Nasonex.

Nasonex Drug Interactions

There are few known drug interactions for Nasonex but you should tell your doctor if you are taking:

• other corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone)
• other nasal sprays.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Nasonex

You should take Nasonex exactly how it was prescribed for you. You should not use Nasonex in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer or shorter than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions exactly on your prescription label.

A patient instruction guide comes with your Nasonex prescription which gives you instructions for safe and effective use of this medication. Be sure to follow the instructions for using Nasonex carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The typical Nasonex dose is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once daily. You may be prescribed Nasonex 2 to 4 weeks before the start of allergy season to help prevent a flare up of your allergy symptoms.

When you use the Nasonex spray for the first time, you must prepare the spray and prime the spray pump. You must shake the medicine extremely well and spray into the air, away from your face, until a fine mist appears. You should prime the Nasonex spray pump any time that you have not used your nasal spray for 7 days or longer.

Be sure to shake Nasonex very well before using it each time.

You may not see an improvement in your symptoms for up to 2 weeks of using Nasonex. Continue using this medication as your doctor has directed you to. If you do not see any symptom improvement by the second week you should tell your doctor.

Visit your doctor for your regularly scheduled appointments to make sure that Nasonex is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses.

Nasonex should be stored in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

After you have used 120 sprays you must throw out the bottle of Nasonex, even if you still hear medication in it.

If you miss a dose of Nasonex you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Nasonex Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Nasonex and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives or swelling of your throat, face, tongue or lips
• fever and chills
• flu symptoms and body aches
• nose bleed that is ongoing
• sores in your nose which won’t heal
• vision problems

Less serious side effects may include:

• cough
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• nausea
• sore throat
• stuffy nose
• white patches or sores inside or around your nose

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Nasonex. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Nasonex Description and Dosing

Nasonex is available as a 50 mcg metered-dose, manual pump spray unit which contains an aqueous suspension of mometasone furoate monohydrate equivalent to 0.05% w/w mometasone furoate calculated on the anhydrous basis.

Nasonex is prescribed based on the individual need of each patient. Your doctor will tell you the right dose for you.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Nasonex you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Nasonex

Nasonex contains the main ingredient mometasone furoate. Ingredients in the aqueous medium include glycerin, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, sodium citrate, citric acid, benzalkonium chloride, and polysorbate 80.

Back to Top

The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.