Nasonex is a nasal spray used to treat hay fever and cold-like symptoms. It’s a prescription-only medicine containing mometasone furoate, which is a corticosteroid. It is also available as a cream for skin conditions like eczema.

What is Nasonex used for?

Nasonex is used to reduce the irritation and swelling in your nose. This helps to relieve sneezing, itching, and a runny or blocked nose caused by hay fever or other allergies.

What kind of medication is it?

Nasonex contains mometasone furoate, part of a group of medicines known as corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are a man-made version of a hormone that your body naturally makes. They are not the same as anabolic steroids.

What is the active ingredient?

The active ingredient of Nasonex is mometasone furoate.

The active ingredient of Nasonex(mometasone furoate) absorbs into the lining of your nose and stops the production of the chemicals that cause allergic reactions.

How long does Nasonex last?

You can use Nasonex for up to 3 months. However, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend you use it for longer. You should let your doctor know if you do not feel better after using it for 2 weeks, as they may want to change your treatment.

How long does Nasonex take to work?

Some people find that Nasonex starts relieving symptoms within 12 hours of their first dose. However, you should continue to use Nasonex regularly to get the full benefit of the treatment. If you get hay fever every year and have difficulty controlling your symptoms, your doctor or pharmacist may advise you to begin using Nasonex before the pollen season starts to prevent symptoms from even starting.

How effective is Nasonex?

Nasonex is an effective way to reduce hay fever symptoms. If your symptoms do not go away after using the spray for several days, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

You should use Nasonex every day (at the same time each day) by spraying it into your nose as instructed. The normal dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once per day.

Preparing the bottle

If you are using Nasonex for the first time, you must prepare the bottle before using it.

1. Shake the bottle gently.
2. Place your middle finger and forefinger on either side of the nozzle, with your thumb placed underneath the bottle.
3. Point the nozzle away from you before pressing down with your fingers to pump the spray. Do this around 10 times until the bottle starts to spray a fine mist.

If you have not used Nasonex for 14 days or longer, you will need to follow these steps again. However, it will require fewer pumps to produce a fine mist than when it was first prepared.

Using the nasal spray

To use Nasonex correctly, you should follow the steps below.

1. Gently shake the bottle and take off the dust cap.
2. Blow your nose gently.
3. Close one nostril with your finger before putting the nozzle into the other nostril.
4. Slightly tilt your head forward and make sure the bottle is kept upright.
5. Begin gently breathing in through your nose. While doing this, squirt the spray into your nose. Do this ONCE by pressing down with your fingers.
6. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat step 5 to inhale a second spray in the same nostril if needed.
7. Remove the nozzle from your nostril and breathe out through your mouth.
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 for the other nostril.

After using the spray, carefully wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap. Always use the spray exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Never take a larger dose, or use the spray more often or for longer than you’ve been told to.

How long do you need to take Nasonex for?

You can usually use Nasonex for up to 12 weeks. However, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you do not feel any better after using it for 14 days.

If your symptoms do not go away, you may be advised to use Nasonex for longer.

You can buy Nasonex online or at a pharmacy.

Can I buy Nasonex online?

Yes, you can. Follow these steps to order Nasonex through Superdrug Online Doctor.

1. Answer a few quick questions about your symptoms and health.
2. Our doctors will review your answers and issue you with a prescription if it’s right for you.
3. You can then buy your spray from us and have it delivered to you or collect it from your local Superdrug store (‘click and collect’).

Can I buy Nasonex over the counter?

No, Nasonex is only available with a prescription.

Can I get Nasonex on the NHS?

Yes, Nasonex is available on the NHS and can be prescribed by your doctor.

Nasonex can cause side effects. However, not everyone will get them. Common side effects include:

• sneezing
• headaches
• nose bleeds
• a sore throat or nose
• chest infections
• ulcers in the nose

Less common side effects include:

• pressure in the eyes
• blurred vision
• changes in smell and taste
• trouble breathing or wheezing
• damage to the septum (the part of the nose that separates the nostrils)

Allergic reactions are a possibility after using Nasonex. These can be severe. If this happens, stop taking Nasonex straightaway, and seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms like:

• difficulty swallowing
• swelling of the tongue, face or throat
• trouble breathing or wheezing
• hives

How long do Nasonex side effects last?

Side effects from Nasonex can vary from one person to another (if they get any at all), including how long these last. Most common side effects should go away quickly without any medical help.

What to do if you get Nasonex side effects?

The common side effects of Nasonex should go away by themselves once you stop using it.

If you get any uncommon side effects or have an allergic reaction to Nasonex, call 999 or visit A&E straightaway to get medical help.

Do not use Nasonex if you:

• are allergic to mometasone furoate or any other ingredients in this medicine
• have an untreated infection in your nose as Nasonex can make this worse
• have recently injured or had an operation on your nose which hasn’t healed

When Nasonex may be unsuitable

Before using Nasonex, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you:

• have or have ever had tuberculosis
• have any other infection
• have cystic fibrosis
• are taking other corticosteroid medicines, either by injection or mouth
• are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to have a baby

While using Nasonex, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

• your immune system is not functioning well (you're getting ill regularly)
• you get an infection or continuous irritation in your throat or nose

Medications that interact with Nasonex

Some medicines may increase the effects of Nasonex. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using the spray so they can monitor you carefully, especially if you are taking medicines for HIV, like cobicistat or ritonavir.

If you take any other corticosteroid medicines for allergies, you may need to stop taking these when you start Nasonex. Be careful if you do stop using these as some people get undesirable effects, like pains and weakness in their joints when they do. You can also develop other allergies like watering or itchy eyes or itchy and red skin patches.

There are alternatives to Nasonex that may be worth considering, such as Telfast and Neoclarityn. Both are antihistamine tablets that are proven to relieve hay fever symptoms. Telfast does this without causing drowsiness.

Neoclarityn is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.