Mometasone Nasal Spray

What is mometasone furoate?

Mometasone furoate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It mimics cortisol, a hormone your body naturally makes, in order to relieve allergy symptoms and inflammation in your nose.

What is mometasone furoate nasal spray used for?

Mometasone furoate is used to treat conditions that cause your nose and sinuses to become inflamed. For example, it can help relieve the symptoms of hay fever, like a blocked nose, sneezing and itching.

How does mometasone nasal spray work?

When you’re exposed to allergens, your immune system releases substances that lead to swelling, congestion and irritation in your nose. Mometasone furoate works by calming the immune response inside your nasal lining.

Because the spray is applied directly into the nose, only a very small amount is absorbed into your bloodstream. This allows it to deliver targeted relief while keeping the risk of body wide side effects low.

Mometasone furoate spray dosage

For adults with hay fever, the usual dose is two sprays into each nostril, once a day. Once symptoms are well controlled, this is usually reduced to one spray into each nostril once a day to maintain relief.

How to use mometasone nasal spray

If you’ve been prescribed mometasone furoate nasal spray, you should always use it as you have been instructed to by your doctor or pharmacist.

If you’re using a new bottle, or you haven’t used the spray in a few days, it may not work straight away. To fix this, pump the spray a few times first till a fine mist comes out.

To use the nasal spray:

• Gently shake the bottle and remove the cap, then blow your nose gently.
• Close one nostril with your finger and bend your head slightly forward. Keeping the bottle upright, insert the nozzle into the other nostril.
• Breathe in slowly through your nose while pressing down on the nozzle once, then breathe out through your mouth.
• Follow step three again to squirt a second spray into the same nostril to achieve the usual dose, if required.
• Remove the nozzle from your nose.
• If you need to, repeat steps three and four with the other nostril.
• After using your spray, wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the cap.

For directions for use with images, and for more information about the product, read the patient information leaflet.

Mometasone nasal spray side effects

Most people use mometasone nasal spray without any problems, but some may experience mild side effects. These can include:

• headaches
• sneezing
• a dry/sore nose or throat
• nosebleeds
• an unusual taste

These effects are usually mild and often settle as your body gets used to the spray. If side effects persist or become bothersome, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

When to seek medical help

You should call a doctor or NHS 111 straight away if you experience:

• eye problems like pain or blurred vision, as this can be a sign of glaucoma or cataracts
• problems like nose pain, sores inside your nose, or nosebleeds that do not stop

When not to use mometasone furoate

Mometasone nasal spray is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to use it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to mometasone
• are taking or have recently taken other steroids
• have an infection in your nose, or any other infection
• have ever had tuberculosis (TB), glaucoma, or cataracts

Storage information

Keep the spray in its original container and store below 25°C and do not freeze.

Use within two months of first opening and do not use it after the expiry date shown on the bottle or carton.

Any unused medicine should be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

Alternatives to mometasone nasal spray

There are many different nasal sprays for hay fever that you can use to help relieve your symptoms, including other corticosteroids, antihistamines and decongestants.

Corticosteroids

• beclometasone (Beconase)
• fluticasone (Pirinase, Avamys)

Decongestant

• xylometazoline (Otrivine)

Antihistamine

• azelastine (Dymista)

Additionally, if nasal sprays are not for you, there are also oral antihistamines available:

• fexofenadine
• cetirizine
• loratadine

Mometasone vs fluticasone

Mometasone and fluticasone are both corticosteroid nasal sprays used to treat allergies like hay fever by reducing inflammation inside the nose.

They work in a very similar way and are equally effective, but some people may prefer one over the other based on how often it’s used or how it feels when sprayed.

If one spray doesn’t suit you, a pharmacist or doctor may suggest trying the other.

Frequently asked questions about mometasone furoate nasal spray

Can mometasone furoate be used to treat sinusitis?

While mometasone furoate can be used to reduce inflammation, Chemist4U will only prescribe this medication if the cause for inflammation is hay fever or allergies.

If you have symptoms of chronic sinusitis, including nasal congestion and pressure, you should speak to a GP before using this long term.

How often should you use mometasone nasal spray?

Mometasone nasal spray should be used as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The usual dosage is two sprays per nostril if required. If your symptoms get better, then you can lower this to one spray per nostril per day.

Is mometasone furoate a steroid?

Yes. Mometasone furoate is a type of steroid medicine known as a corticosteroid.

Is mometasone the same as Nasonex?

Nasonex is a brand name for mometasone furoate nasal spray. Generic versions contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

Sources

• Mometasone furoate (2026). BNF. [Accessed 24 April 2026]
• Mometasone nasal spray (2024). NHS. [Accessed 24 April 2026]
• How and when to use mometasone nasal spray (2024). NHS. [Accessed 27 April 2026]
• Side effects of mometasone nasal spray (2024). NHS. [Accessed 27 April 2026]