Mometasone

2 medicines

Mometasone is a corticosteroid used in creams for skin inflammation, nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis, and inhalers for asthma; the inhaled and nasal forms are preventers that will not stop a sudden attack, and long-term high-dose use of any form can thin skin or suppress your body's own cortisol production.

Dulera

Mometasone, Formoterol

6/200mcg

Dulera is a asthma respiratory medication containing Mometasone + Formoterol, available as 6/200mcg inhalers.

from $52.70 / inhaler View

Elocon

Mometasone

5g

Elocon is a skin care medication containing Mometasone, available as 5g tubes.

from $8.50 / tube View

Key facts

  • Mometasone is a corticosteroid, found in Elocon cream and the Asmanex inhaler, that reduces inflammation in the skin, nose, or airways.
  • Apply or use it on a regular schedule as directed. Topical forms are usually once daily, nasal sprays once daily, and inhalers on a fixed schedule, not just when symptoms flare.
  • Its single most important safety fact: mometasone inhalers and nasal sprays are preventers, not rescue treatments. They will not stop a sudden asthma attack or severe allergy symptoms, and stopping a long-term or high-dose course abruptly can leave your body short of its own natural cortisol.
  • Seek urgent care for facial or throat swelling, severe wheeze, or new vision changes.

What Mometasone treats

Mometasone cream or ointment treats eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions. The nasal spray treats seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis. The inhaler is used for ongoing asthma control alongside a separate reliever inhaler. None of these forms relieve a sudden asthma attack or an acute allergic reaction.

How Mometasone works

Mometasone binds to glucocorticoid receptors inside cells in the skin, nasal lining, or airway. This switches off the genes that produce inflammatory chemicals, so fewer immune cells gather in the tissue, and swelling, redness, mucus production, and itching all decrease.

Before you take it

  • Avoid mometasone if you have an untreated infection at the application site, including active cold sores, chickenpox, or a fungal skin infection.
  • Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, cataracts, or tuberculosis.
  • Long-term use on the face, in skin folds, or under a dressing increases absorption and the risk of skin thinning. Use the lowest effective amount for the shortest time you need.
  • Children can absorb more topical steroid relative to their body size, so follow the pediatric dosing limits closely.

Side effects

Common effects include local stinging, dryness, redness, or itching where the product is applied, and mild headache with the inhaled or nasal forms.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Facial, lip, or throat swelling, or difficulty breathing.
  • Severe or worsening wheeze despite using your reliever inhaler.
  • Blurred vision, eye pain, or halos around lights.
  • Unusually thin, fragile, or easily bruised skin over a treated area.

Safety essentials

  • Never use a mometasone inhaler or nasal spray to treat a sudden asthma attack or an emergency allergic reaction. Keep a fast-acting reliever available at all times.
  • If you have used a high dose or a long course, do not stop abruptly. Your prescriber will taper it to protect your body's own cortisol production.
  • Rinse your mouth after each use of a mometasone inhaler to reduce the risk of oral thrush.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.