What Is Mometasone Nasal Spray?

Mometasone nasal spray is a type of steroid that is delivered through the nose in order to stop the symptoms of an allergic reaction. A mild drug, it is designed as a long term treatment against airborne allergens rather than for a short term allergic reaction. Many patients who use mometasone nasal spray report an improvement in symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchiness in the nose and eyes, though it can take a while for the medication to start working.

Administering mometasone through the nose allows it to target the area most affected by seasonal allergies. In order to take this drug, the patient places the nozzle of the medication’s bottle into each nostril and pushes down on the pump while steadily breathing in. The bottle it comes in is designed to release a specific amount of the medicine into the nostril so that the correct dose is taken each time with either one or two pumps, depending on the prescription. It is safe for use in children as young as two years old, though administering mometasone nasal spray to a young child may be difficult.

As a member of the steroid family of medications, mometasone nasal spray should be taken exactly as directed. Using too much of this drug can have serious medical consequences, though it is unlikely that it would lead to the death of the patient. Many patients are prescribed mometasone nasal spray for a specific length of time, and it is important not to take it for longer because of the long term effects, such as thinning of the skin and problems with the reproductive system, that could appear.

Most patients do not feel the effects of mometasone nasal spray when they first start using it. It may take a couple of weeks for it to work, so many people start to use it before the beginning of the allergy season. Though it is not effective for everyone, many people find that using mometasone nasal spray significantly reduces their allergy symptoms.

Mometasone nasal spray does not cause side effects in most patients, though there are some that are occasionally reported. The spray may irritate the lining of the nasal cavity, leading to sores, swelling, or nosebleeds. It can also cause headaches and flu-like symptoms that may go away as the body adjusts to the medicine. Mometasone can also interfere with the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to contagious diseases.