Nasonex nasal spray is used to treat and prevent hay fever symptoms. It belongs to a class of medications called steroid nasal sprays. Each spray contains 50mcg of the active ingredient, mometasone furoate, a type of corticosteroid. It works by relieving irritation and inflammation to treat symptoms like sneezing and a blocked or runny nose.

Nasonex works by reducing the inflammation in the nasal passages to relieve and prevent hay fever symptoms, like sneezing, itching, and congestion. It does this because it contains a corticosteroid as its active ingredient, which controls the body’s overactive immune response to pollen, the main trigger for hay fever.

Hay fever occurs when your body’s immune system overreacts to pollen, mistakenly identifying it as a threat. This causes the release of chemicals, including histamine, which are involved in causing an allergic response. Nasonex combats the effects of histamine and inflammation caused by hay fever.

How long does Nasonex take to work?

Nasonex typically starts to work within 12 hours, but it can take a few days for you to feel the full effects.

Research shows that 50% of people will notice the benefits and an improvement in their symptoms within 36 hours.

How effective is Nasonex?

Clinical trials have shown that Nasonex has anti-inflammatory benefits in early and later phases of allergic responses, by lowering histamine and other immune proteins and cell levels in the body.

A more recent meta-analysis found that mometasone furoate nasal spray is effective for reducing nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but also improved non-nasal signs, such as coughs.

The usual dose of Nasonex for hay fever is 2 sprays into each nostril once a day. Once your symptoms are under control, your doctor may suggest lowering your dose. Before using Nasonex nasal spray for the first time, you’ll need to ‘prime’ the bottle to ensure it delivers the correct dose.

To prime the bottle, you must:

1. Shake it gently.
2. Place your middle and forefinger on either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath it.
3. Point the nozzle away from you, then press down with your fingers to pump the spray 10 times until a fine mist appears.

You should do this each time you start a new Nasonex nasal spray. If you have not used your current bottle for at least 14 days, re-prime it by pumping it 2 times until a fine mist is produced.

Once you’ve primed the bottle, it’s now ready to use. Here’s how:

1. Shake the bottle gently and remove the dust cap.
2. Gently blow your nose.
3. Close one nostril and put the nozzle into the other nostril.
4. Tilt your head slightly forward, keeping the bottle upright.
5. Start to breathe in slowly and gently through your nose, and while breathing in, squirt a spray of fine mist into your nose by pressing down once with your fingers.
6. Breathe out through your mouth.
7. Repeat step 5 to inhale a second spray in the same nostril (if required).
8. Remove the nozzle from this nostril and then breathe out through your mouth.
9. Repeat steps 3 to 8 for the other nostril.

After you have used the Nasonex spray, carefully wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap.

When should I take Nasonex?

You can use Nasonex at any time of day, but you should use it at the same time each day. For example, if you first use it at 9am, you should spray your next dose at 9am the following day and so on.

How often should I take Nasonex?

The usual dose for hay fever in adults is 2 sprays in each nostril once daily. Your doctor may advise you to reduce the dose once your symptoms are under control. Alternatively, if you’re not feeling better, they may increase the dose to a maximum of 4 sprays into each nostril once a day. You should not increase the dose yourself without consulting a doctor first.

What if I forget to take Nasonex?

If you forget to use the Nasonex spray at the usual time, use it as soon as you remember, then take your next scheduled dose 24 hrs afterwards. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Nasonex nasal spray is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval before you can obtain it. Once you have a prescription, you can buy Nasonex online from reputable online doctor services like Superdrug Online Doctor or other UK pharmacies.

Can I buy Nasonex online?

Yes, you can buy Nasonex online from Superdrug Online Doctor by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Ordering your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other treatment options.

Can I buy Nasonex over the counter?

No, Nasonex requires a prescription in order to obtain it, so it cannot be bought over the counter. If you would prefer an over-the-counter hay fever treatment, most antihistamines are available without a prescription, like cetirizine and fexofenadine 120mg tablets.

Can I get Nasonex on the NHS?

Yes, Nasonex is available on the NHS, but you may be given a generic mometasone furoate nasal spray rather than the branded Nasonex spray. Both work in exactly the same way and contain the same active ingredient, except generic medications tend to be more cost-effective.

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• headache
• sneezing
• nose bleeds
• sore nose or throat
• ulcers in the nose
• respiratory tract infection

Other side effects include:

• increased pressure in the eye
• cataracts
• taste and smell changes
• breathing difficulties
• wheezing
• blurred vision

Like all medications, Nasonex can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

How long do Nasonex side effects last?

Most Nasonex side effects are mild and temporary and go away on their own within a few days. When you use a mometasone nasal spray, very little of the medication is absorbed into the body, so it is unlikely to cause serious side effects.

What to do if you get Nasonex side effects

If you get any of the following serious side effects, stop using Nasonex and get immediate medical help:

• swollen face, tongue, and throat
• trouble swallowing
• hives
• wheezing or trouble breathing

Most mild Nasonex side effects can be managed at home in the following ways:

Headaches – get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers to manage pain, but if your headache is severe, speak to your doctor.

Taste changes – rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth after using the nasal spray can help with any changes in taste.

Nosebleeds, or sore throat and nose – speak to your doctor if these side effects do not get better or you are finding them bothersome.

Sneezing – this should settle down on its own as your body gets used to the medication.

If you get any side effects that are difficult to manage, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Do not use Nasonex nasal spray if you:

• are allergic to mometasone furoate or any of its other ingredients
• have an untreated nasal infection, such as herpes
• have recently had an operation on your nose or have a nose injury

Tell your doctor before using Nasonex if you:

• have or have ever had tuberculosis (TB)
• have any other infection
• are taking other corticosteroid medications, such as tablets or injections
• have cystic fibrosis

Nasonex and other medications

Before taking Nasonex nasal spray for hay fever, tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Some medications, like those given to treat HIV, such as ritonavir and cobicistat, may increase the effects of Nasonex.

If you are currently taking any other corticosteroid medications for allergies, such as tablets or injections, your doctor may tell you to stop taking them once you start the Nasonex spray.

Nasonex and pregnancy

Mometasone furoate nasal sprays, like Nasonex, can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but you should check with your doctor or midwife before using it to make sure it is suitable for you.

Nasonex and high blood pressure

It is unlikely that Nasonex will raise your blood pressure, but in rare cases, corticosteroids can increase the risk of high blood pressure. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor before using Nasonex nasal spray, especially if you are currently taking any other corticosteroids.

Can you use Nasonex twice a day?

The usual starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day for hay fever. However, if your symptoms do not improve after 5 to 6 weeks, the dose may be increased to 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day, but this must only be done under the instruction of a doctor.

Is Nasonex a steroid spray?

Yes, Nasonex contains a corticosteroid, specifically mometasone furoate, which means it is a steroid nasal spray.

Is Nasonex good for sinusitis?

Yes, Nasonex can be helpful for sinusitis because it reduces inflammation in the nose. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can only prescribe Nasonex for the treatment of hay fever symptoms.

Does Nasonex cause weight gain?

No, Nasonex will not cause weight gain, making it a good option for people who may be worried about putting on weight. Corticosteroids, when taken as tablets, injections, or inhalers, may cause weight gain when they are used in high doses for a long period.

Can I use Nasonex if I have high blood pressure?

Yes, it should be possible for you to use Nasonex nasal spray if you have high blood pressure, but you must check with your doctor first. Because the active ingredients do not impact any other part of the body except the nose, corticosteroid nasal sprays should not increase your blood pressure.