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MOMETASONE, elocon, nasodex, dulera, asmanex twisthaler
What is the med used for?
Mometasone is a medication used in the management of allergies that causes redness, swelling, itching and inflammation and discomfort of various skin conditions. It’s also used for asthma as prophylactic or treatment therapy in patients 4 years of age and older. for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in patients ≥2 years of age. Your provider could have prescribed Mometasone for either of the above conditions and more. How do I know why Mometasone is prescribed for me by my doctor? Chat with our team today!
What class of med is this med?
Mometasone belongs to a class of corticosteroids. It works with your body by activating natural substances in the skin to prevent inflammation or allergic reactions (reduce swelling, redness, and itching).
What does it contain, both active and inactive constituents?
The medication’s active ingredient is mometasone furoate (also contains formoterol fumarate dihydrate for dulera). Some of the inactive ingredients may include aluminum starch octenylsuccinate (Gamma Irradiated), hexylene glycol, hydrogenated soybean lecithin, phosphoric acid, purified water, titanium dioxide, white soft paraffin, white wax, hydrofluoroalkane (HFA-227), anhydrous alcohol and oleic acid, dispersible cellulose, glycerol, carboxymethylcellulose, glyernic, sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, and anhydrous lactose. More inactive ingredients might be present as well. Do you have any allergies to the above ingredients? Chat with our team today!
Why am I taking the med?
Mometasone is a steroid used for the management of skin conditions, hay fever, inflammation and to prevent asthma attacks. Not sure why you are taking this med? Chat with our team today!
How do I know if the med is working for my condition?
If mometasone works for you, then in a few hours to about 1-2 weeks (depending on the formulation you use) inflammatory symptoms, pruritic manifestations, trouble breathing from asthma, and allergies (swelling, redness and itching), will begin to resolve.
What is the dose, how do I take it and what do I take it with?
Mometasone has been available in 50 mcg mometasone furoate sprays, 15g and 46g of 0.1% creams, and 0.1% ointment. As well as 50, 100, 200, and 220 mcg inhalers (200 mcg mometasone furoate per inhalation) ·Elocon: Apply a thin film to the affected skin areas once daily ·Nasonex: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis: 2 sprays/nostril (50 mcg/spray) once daily ·Dulera (patient 12 and over) Asthma, 2 oral inhalations of 100 mcg or 200 mcg twice daily in morning and evening ·Asmanex Inhalers: for patients 12 and over who received bronchodilators alone: 220 mcg once daily in the evening for patients 12 and over who have inhaled corticosteroids. 440 mch twice daily if you received oral corticosteroids. For pediatric patients 4-11 years: take 110 mcg once in the evening, Inflammatory hyperkeratotic dermatosis: apply cream/ointment topically onto area once daily
Could the med be replaced or like other meds I am currently on?
Yes, mometasone can be used to replace any other anti-inflammatory or allergy drugs you are currently taking. It is usually prescribed with milder steroids that have not worked; therefore It can also be added to your current regimen of anti-inflammatory if lab work and evaluations don’t seem to be improving.
What food or drinks does the meds interfere with or affect my med?
There are no negative interactions with food or drinks, therefore you can take your mometasone with or without food and drinks.
What other meds interfere or affect the med?
Use of desmopressin and glucocorticoids like mometasone are contraindicated due to risk of hyponatremia. Use of ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole or nirmatrelvir may increase drug exposure and increase risk of Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression. Note that all these effects are noted in both inhaler formulations. Elocon and Nasonex have no drug-drug interactions. However, any questions about current medications that might have possible interactions you think will interact with this medication? Chat with our team today!
Can natural products/herbal products affect the med
There’s very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with any of the mometasone formulations. Therefore, it’s hard to say that herbal remedies and natural products are safe to take with the solution. However, it is still recommended to talk to your provider about possible natural/herbal products you are taking with olopatadine.
What are the benefits of taking the med?
Mometasone treats a variety of skin conditions, treats asthma, and prevents asthma attacks. Helps with inflammatory responses, and allergy symptoms. Can have a quick onset of action (depending on the formulation you use), has few side effects when used for short periods of time.
How can I buy/get the med from?
Mometasone furoate are available as a prescription (Nasonex is also an OTC) by and can be purchased from pharmacies, drug stores, and online pharmacies with pharmacy permits issued by the state board of pharmacies to dispense prescriptions.
Where can I store the med?
Store mometasone at room temperature. Store inhaler (asmanex) in a dry place (If the mouthpiece needs cleaning, gently wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed. Do not wash the inhaler). Keep the bottle sealed in tightly, and away from excess heat, liquid and children that are not taking the medication.
What risk and side effects should I expect from the med?
Common adverse reactions include ·Nasonex: headache, viral infection, pharyngitis, epistaxis and cough, ·Elocon: burning, pruritus, skin atrophy, tingling/stinging and furunculosis ·Asmanex Twisthaler: headache, allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, oral candidiasis, dysmenorrhea, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, and dyspepsia ·Dulera: Nasopharyngitis, sinusitis and headache Have questions about these common side effects? Chat with our team today!
What dangerous side effects should I be alarmed about? And what do I do if that happens?
Serious side effects include (Call your doctor if you have any of these side effects). ·wheezing, choking, or problems breathing, vision problems, worsening asthma symptoms, signs of infection, trouble swallowing. Topical: Extreme tiredness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, severe skin irritation, ·Nasal: severe bleeding or increased drainage from your nose. White patches or sores in the nose that won't heal, and auditory pain or issues Nasonex is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity reaction to the mometasone furoate or any of the ingredients of Nasonex. Also watch for Glaucoma and Cataracts when taking Nasonex. Dulera has a black box warning of Asthma related death, since it contains formoterol, a Long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. Only use dulera if your asthma is not adequately controlled on a long-term asthma control medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid or whose disease severity clearly warrants initiation of treatment with both an inhaled corticosteroid. If you still have questions, talk to your pharmacist or provider.
How long do I have to take the med?
Your provider will determine how long you should be on the medication for. Elocon, if you are using it on your face or using it on a child, shouldn’t be continued after 5 days. You can usually use the nasal spray for about 3 months. The inhaler formulations are long term, therefore your provider may have you take them for months to years.
How much does it cost out of pocket?
Prices will depend on what type you buy. Elocon can cost an average of 70$ for 15g, Nasonex can cost $71-79 for 17g, the dulera inhalation is an US average retail price of $242 for 8.8g and $353 for 13g, and the asmanex inhalation can cost $267 for 220 mcg and $205 for 110 mcg. Thankfully, there are a few drug coupons you could use in any drug store in the United States without insurance coverage that could help you pay less. With insurance coverage, you may be able to pay as low as $0 depending on your deductibles. For more information on the cost of your medications and how you could get drug coupons? Chat with our team today!
Does the medication have substitutes?
Yes Mometasone, belongs to a class of corticosteroids for inflammation and allergies. Other possible substitutes are the other mometasone brand called Flonase (a inhalation drug) alone with methotrexate, Adalimumab, Flovent, ProAir HFA, hydrocortisone, prednisone, and clobetasol
What other medical conditions can the med treat?
Mometasone is mostly limited to inflammation, allergy and asthma uses, but can be used as an adjunct for Sinusitis and rhinitis
Do I need lab work while on this med?
Do I need lab work while on this med? It will depend on the formulation you are taking. If you are taking the topical formulation, then you will need labs of Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression tests, plasma cortisol, and urinary-free cortisol tests. If you are taking medication for asthma (inhalation and nasal spray), your provider will less likely need labs and will monitor for improvement in asthma or look for signs and symptoms of inflammation. If taking the inhalation, provider may also monitor for Inadequate adrenal response, Bone mineral density, and Signs of systemic corticosteroid effects
What should I do if I miss my dose?
If you miss a dulera dose, take the next dose at the same time you usually do. Do not exceed the daily dosage of DULERA of two inhalations twice daily If you miss the topical dose, nasal spray or inhalation (Asmanex), Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double amount to make up for a missed dose.
When can I stop taking the med?
As said in question 16, your provider will determine when you can stop taking mometasone. Formulations like dulera and amansex are long term, therefore stopping could cause symptoms to re-appear or worsen. Formulations like elocon recommended that you don’t continue after 5 days, if using the medication on your face or on a child. do not stop using it unless the doctor advises you to do so.
How does the med look, its appearance?
Mometasone brand names in the United States are elocon, nasonex, dulera, and asmanex twisthaler. They are manufactured by a few manufacturers such as 3M Health Care, Merck & co. inc, MSD International GmbH (Singapore Branch), Schering Plough Canada, Inc., and Schering Corporation. The elocon brand is an white to off-white ointment and supplied in a 15g or 45g tube in a box. The Nasonex brand is a white, high-density, polyethylene bottle fitted with a white metered-dose, manual spray pump, and blue cap. It contains 17 g of product formulation, 120 sprays, each delivering 50 mcg of mometasone furoate per actuation. Asmanex twisthaler is supplied in a protective foil pouch with Patient’s Instructions for use. Dulera is supplied in a strength is supplied as a pressurized aluminum canister that has a blue plastic actuator integrated with a dose counter and a green dust cap.
How does the med come?
As said in question 6, Mometasone comes in 50 mcg mometasone furoate sprays, 15g and 46g of 0.1% creams, and 0.1% ointment. As well as 50, 100, 200, and 220 mcg inhalers (200 mcg mometasone furoate per inhalation).
How many tablets (micrograms/milligrams/grams) do I take?
Take the nasal spray two times a day, take the ointment/cream once every day, dulera twice daily. Take asmanex once daily if you are under the age of 12 or are receiving inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators. Take asmanex twice daily if you are over 12 and are taking inhaled corticosteroids. See question 6 above for details.
What is the Total Daily Dose (TDD) of the med?
Dulera depends on the dose you are taking (either 200mcg total daily or 400mcg). Nasonex’s total daily dose is 100 mcg or 200 mcg. The total daily dose of asmanex varies on what you are taking it for (varies from 110 mcg, 220 mcg and 440 mcg. Elocon also depends on the dose you are taking (either 15g total daily or 45g). See question 6 for more information/
Would my insurance cover the meds? And what is my copay?
Insurance coverage of Mometasone depends on the type of Mometasone you are using. If you are using the nasal formulation, most insurances will cover this type. The coverage of dulera and Asmanex varies (not all or most cover this type, but there are still some that do). The topical formulation (elocon) is not covered by most insurances since it is not prescribed. Overall, the coverage you do use for mometasone will depend on the type of insurance and your deductibles. Your insurance determines your co-pay, not your drug stores or pharmacies. You can always speak to your insurance representatives for more co-pays. Chat with our team today for more on your medication coverage!
How can I dispose of the meds?
You can dispose of your mometasone products through ‘take-back’ programs. The ‘take-backs’ are designated places that exist in most communities where you can dispose of your unused or expired medications. Drug stores and pharmacies near you also offer on-site drop-off boxes. You can also dispose of your medication by taking it to your local police department. If you are still looking for places in your community where you could dispose of old medications, chat with our team today!
