Mometasone, also known as mometasone y 3 s, is a

steroid A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and ...

medication used to treat certain

skin condition A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this s ...

hay fever Allergic rhinitis, of which the seasonal type is called hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, i ...

, and

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, co ...

. Specifically it is used to prevent rather than treat asthma attacks. It can be applied to the skin, inhaled, or used in the nose. Mometasone furoate, not mometasone, is used in medical products. Common side effects when used for asthma includes asthma and

thrush ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' is an American spy fiction television series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television and first broadcast on NBC. The series follows secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who work for a secret ...

. It is therefore recommended to rinse the mouth after use. Long term use may increase the risk for

glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for aqueous humor, fluid withi ...

and

cataracts A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble ...

. Common side effects when used in the nose includes

upper respiratory tract infection An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx or trachea. This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore thro ...

s and nose bleeds. Common side effects when applied on the skin include

acne Acne, also known as ''acne vulgaris'', is a long-term skin condition that occurs when dead skin cells and oil from the skin clog hair follicles. Typical features of the condition include blackheads or whiteheads, pimples, oily skin, and ...

skin atrophy Atrophoderma refers to conditions involving skin atrophy. Types include: * Follicular atrophoderma * Linear atrophoderma of Moulin * Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini References Dermatologic terminology {{Cutaneous-condition-stub ...

, and itchiness. It works by decreasing

inflammation Inflammation (from la, inflammatio) is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, and is a protective response involving immune cells, blood vessels, and molec ...

. Mometasone furoate was patented in 1981 and came into medical use in 1987. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a

generic medication A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance as a drug that was originally protected by chemical patents. Generic drugs are allowed for sale after the patents on the original drugs expire. Because the active ...

. In 2020, it was the 231st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.

Medical uses

Mometasone furoate is used in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders (such as

eczema Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened. The area of skin involved c ...

and

psoriasis Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by raised areas of abnormal skin. These areas are red, pink, or purple, dry, itchy, and scaly. Psoriasis varies in severity from small, localized patches to comple ...

) (topical form),

allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis, of which the seasonal type is called hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, ...

(such as

) (topical form),

(inhalation form) for patients unresponsive to less potent

corticosteroids Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are invol ...

, and penile phimosis. In terms of steroid strength, it is more potent than hydrocortisone, and less potent than

dexamethasone Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid medication used to treat rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, eye pain following eye surgery, superior vena ...

. Some low-quality evidence suggests the use of mometasone for symptomatic improvement in children with adenoid hypertrophy. Mometasone is used to alleviate inflammation and itchiness in skin conditions that respond to treatment with glucocorticoids such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Nasal Nasal is an adjective referring to the nose, part of human or animal anatomy. It may also be shorthand for the following uses in combination: * With reference to the human nose: ** Nasal administration, a method of pharmaceutical drug delivery * ...

mometasone is used in adults (including the elderly) and children over two years of age, to diminish the symptoms of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) and other allergies (perennial rhinitis), including nasal congestion, discharge, pruritus, and sneezing and to treat nasal polyps. It is not useful for the

common cold The common cold or the cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the respiratory mucosa of the nose, throat, sinuses, and larynx. Signs and symptoms may appear fewer than two days after expos ...

Asthma

Mometasone furoate can be used with formoterol for the treatment of asthma, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Contraindications

People should not use inhaled mometasone or mometasone

nasal spray Nasal sprays are used to deliver medications locally in the nasal cavities or systemically. They are used locally for conditions such as nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis. In some situations, the nasal delivery route is preferred for syst ...

if: * glaucoma or cataracts *

hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usually referred to as an over-reaction of the immune ...

or allergic to any ingredient in mometasone Those who are using mometasone nasal or inhaled for a long period of time (e.g. more than three months) should get regular eye exams to check for

and

cataract A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble ...

s and should take precautions to avoid infections such as taking a vitamin D supplement, staying away from those with an infection (chickenpox, measles, colds or flu, COVID-19), washing foods, hand washing and calling a family doctor at the first sign of a severe infection. People should not use mometasone topical (skin cream) if: * hypersensitive or allergic to any ingredient in the skin cream Mometasone furoate is in class C in terms of safety while use during

pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ...

. Therefore, its risks to the baby cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the use in pregnancy is not recommended.

Side effects

The nasal spray form of mometasone may cause the following

side effect In medicine, a side effect is an effect, whether therapeutic or adverse, that is secondary to the one intended; although the term is predominantly employed to describe adverse effects, it can also apply to beneficial, but unintended, consequence ...

s: * headache * Viral

upper respiratory infections An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx or trachea. This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore throat, to ...

* sore throat * nose bleeds * cough * muscle and joint pain Serious side effects include:

Thrush ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' is an American spy fiction television series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television and first broadcast on NBC. The series follows secret agents, played by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, who work for a secret ...

(fungal infection in the nose or throat), slow wound healing, eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts, weakened immune system (

immunodeficiency Immunodeficiency, also known as immunocompromisation, is a state in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. Most cases are acquired ("secondary") due to extrinsic factors that a ...

) which causes an increased susceptibility to infections and

adrenal insufficiency Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones. The adrenal gland normally secretes glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol), mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone), and andro ...

. The inhaled form of mometasone for asthma may cause the following side effects * headache * stuffy or runny nose * dry throat * swelling of nose, throat and sinuses *

flu like symptoms Influenza-like illness (ILI), also known as flu-like syndrome or flu-like symptoms, is a medical diagnosis of possible influenza or other illness causing a set of common symptoms. These include fever, shivering, chills, malaise, dry cough, loss ...

* painful menstrual periods Serious side effects may include: allergic reactions (

anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction and medical emergency that is rapid in onset and requires immediate medical attention regardless of use of emergency medication on site. It typically causes more than one of the follo ...

), increased risk of

osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and consequent increase in fracture risk. It is the most common reason for a broken bone a ...

, glaucoma and cataracts, thrush in the mouth or throat, growth retardation in children,

bronchospasm Bronchospasm or a bronchial spasm is a sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. It is caused by the release (degranulation) of substances from mast cells or basophils under the influence of anaphylatoxins. It causes di ...

s, adrenal insufficiency and weakened immune system which causes an increased susceptibility to infections. The topical (skin cream) version may cause: * burning and itching at the application site *

* changes in skin color * dryness at application site * skin sores The only serious side effect that is known with mometasone topical is

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Mometasone furoate reduces inflammation by causing several effects: * Reversing the activation of inflammatory proteins * Activating the secretion of anti-inflammatory proteins * Stabilizing cell membranes * Decreasing the influx of inflammatory cells In addition to the glucocorticoid properties of mometasone furoate, it is a very potent

agonist An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ag ...

of the

progesterone receptor The progesterone receptor (PR), also known as NR3C3 or nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 3, is a protein found inside cells. It is activated by the steroid hormone progesterone. In humans, PR is encoded by a single ''PGR'' gene resid ...

as well as a

partial agonist In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display both agonistic and antagonis ...

of the mineralocorticoid receptor.

Mechanism of action

Mometasone, like other corticosteroids, possesses anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties. For allergies, corticosteroids reduce the allergic reactions in various types of cells (mastocytes and eosinophils) that are responsible for allergic reactions. Mometasone and other corticosteroids circulate in the blood easily, crossing cellular membranes and binding with cytoplasmic receptors, resulting in the transcription and synthesis of proteins. It also inhibits the actions of the enzyme cytochrome P450 2C8 which participates in the activity of monooxygenase. The inflammation is reduced in decreasing the liberation of hydrolase acids of

leukocyte White blood cells, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and derived from mult ...

s, the prevention of the accumulation

macrophage Macrophages (abbreviated as M φ, MΦ or MP) ( el, large eaters, from Greek ''μακρός'' (') = large, ''φαγεῖν'' (') = to eat) are a type of white blood cell of the immune system that engulfs and digests pathogens, such as cancer ce ...

s in the sites of inflammation, the interference with adhesion of leukocytes to

capillary A capillary is a small blood vessel from 5 to 10 micrometres (μm) in diameter. Capillaries are composed of only the tunica intima, consisting of a thin wall of simple squamous endothelial cells. They are the smallest blood vessels in the bod ...

walls, the reduction of the permeability of the capillary membranes and consequently

edema Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin which feels tight, the area ma ...

, the reduction of complementary components, inhibition of histamine and

kinin A kinin is any of various structurally related polypeptides, such as bradykinin and kallidin. They are members of the autacoid family. Kinins are peptides that are cleaved from kininogens by the process of kallikreins. Kallikreins activate kinins ...

liberation, and interference with scar tissue formation. The proliferation of fibroblasts and collagen deposits is also reduced. It is believed that the action of corticosteroid anti-inflammatory agents is bound to inhibitive proteins of

phospholipase A2 The enzyme phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4, PLA2, systematic name phosphatidylcholine 2-acylhydrolase) catalyse the cleavage of fatty acids in position 2 of phospholipids, hydrolyzing the bond between the second fatty acid “tail” and the glyc ...

, collectively called lipocortins. The lipocortins, in turn, control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation as the

prostaglandin The prostaglandins (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds called eicosanoids having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. They are deriv ...

s and

leukotriene Leukotrienes are a family of eicosanoid inflammatory mediators produced in leukocytes by the oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) and the essential fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by the enzyme arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase. Leukotrienes ...

s, inhibiting the liberation of the molecular precursors of

arachidonic acid Arachidonic acid (AA, sometimes ARA) is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid 20:4(ω-6), or 20:4(5,8,11,14). It is structurally related to the saturated arachidic acid found in cupuaçu butter. Its name derives from the New Latin word ''ara ...

. Intranasal mometasone alleviates symptoms such as

rhinorrhea Rhinorrhea, rhinorrhoea, or informally runny nose is the free discharge of a thin mucus fluid from the nose; it is a common condition. It is a common symptom of allergies ( hay fever) or certain viral infections, such as the common cold or CO ...

aquosa,

nasal congestion Nasal congestion is the blockage of nasal breathing usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Background In about 85% of cases, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing rather than nasal breathin ...

, nasal drip, sneezing, and pharyngeal itching. Topical administration applied to skin reduces the inflammation associated with chronic or acute dermatosis. Although mometasone furoate does not have significant systemic immunomodulatory effects, it can be considered a local immunosuppressive drug because clinical studies have shown reductions (vs. baseline ) in neutrophils (a white blood cell) in the nasal mucosa. It could be also considered an antihistamine along with its glucocorticoid effects because it significantly reduces histamine and eosinophil cationic protein levels.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Extensive metabolic hepatic metabolism of mometasone furoate to multiple metabolites occurs. No principal metabolites are detectable in plasma. After ''in vitro'' incubation, one of the minor metabolites formed is furoate 6β-hydroxymometasone. In human hepatic microsomes, the formation of these metabolites is regulated by

CYP3A4 Cytochrome P450 3A4 (abbreviated CYP3A4) () is an important enzyme in the body, mainly found in the liver and in the intestine. It oxidizes small foreign organic molecules ( xenobiotics), such as toxins or drugs, so that they can be removed from ...

Mometasone

Mometasone by itself is a

synthetic Synthetic things are composed of multiple parts, often with the implication that they are artificial. In particular, 'synthetic' may refer to: Science * Synthetic chemical or compound, produced by the process of chemical synthesis * Synthetic ...

al glucocorticoid or

corticosteroid Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are inv ...

that was never marketed. The C17α furoate

ester In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ...

of mometasone, is the marketed medication. Mometasone furoate acts as a

prodrug A prodrug is a medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how the dru ...

of mometasone. In addition to its glucocorticoid activity, mometasone also has very potent

progestogen Progestogens, also sometimes written progestagens or gestagens, are a class of natural or synthetic steroid hormones that bind to and activate the progesterone receptors (PR). Progesterone is the major and most important progestogen in the bod ...

ic activity and acts as a

of the mineralocorticoid receptor.

Society and culture

Brand names

As of 2016 mometasone furoate was available worldwide in formulations for nasal, oral inhalation, and topical administration, for human and for veterinary use, and in combinations with other drugs, under many brand names. It was available as the single active agent in the following brands: Alcom, Altosone, Asmanex, Atozon, Aureox, Belloseta, Bioelementa, Biometasona, Bloctimo, Borgasone, Breso, Broner, Codermo, Cortynase, Cutimom, Cutizone, Cutticom, Dance, Demoson, Dergentil, Derimod, Dermacortine, Dermaten, Dermome, Dermosona, Dermotasone, Dermovel, Desdek, Ecelecort, Ecural, Edelan, Elica, Elisone, Elisox, Elitasone, Elna, Elocan, Elocom, Elocon, Elocortin, Elofute, Elomet, Elomox, Eloskin, Eloson, Elosone, Elovent, Elox, Etacid, Eversone, Eztom, F-Din, Fenisona, Flazcort, Flogocort, Fremomet, Frondava, Fu Mei Song, Fulmeta, Furo, Furoato de Mometasona, Furoderm, Gistan-H, Honmet, Iflacort, Intercon, Ivoxel, Kalmente, Konex, Ladexol, Lisoder, Logren, Loksin, Lomeane, M-Furo, Makiren, Mefurosan, Melocort, Mena, Mesone, Metacortil, Metactiv, Metaflam, Metagra, Metasafe, Metason, Metasone, Metaspray, Metatop, Metaz, Metmin, Metsone, Midermin, Mifusin, Minyear, Mofacort, Mofulex, Mofur, Mofuroate, Molison, Momate, Momax, Momecon, Momecort, Momecutan, Momederm, MomeGalen, Momegen, Momekort, Momelab, Momentum, Momeplus, Momerid, Momeson, Momesone, Momester, Momet, Mometa, Mometagen, Mometason, Mometasona, Mometasona Furoato, Mometasone Furoate, Mometasone Furoate Hydrate, Mometasonfuroaat, Mometasonfuroat, Mometasoni Furoas, Mometasonum, Mometasyn, Mometasyn, Mometax, Mometazon, Mometazona, Mometazona Fuorat, Mometazonfuroat, Mometix-AQ, Momevate, Momexa, Mommex, Mommox, Momtas, Monaliz, Monez, Monovel, Monovo, Mosone, Motaderm, Motaneal, Movesan, Mtaz, Mundoson, Murozo, Myrey, Narinex, Nasamet, Nasehaler, Nasocure, Nasomet, Nasometin, Nasonex, Nassomet, Nazofix, Nazoster, Netonox, Nexomist, Novasone, Ovison, Ovixan, Oximax, Pharmecort, Pluster, Pronasal, Propel, Prospiril, Pydercon, Rinelon, Rinitek, Rino-Val, Rinobudex, Rinonex, Rinosal, Rinosona, Rinoval, Risonel, Rinocort, Sensicort, Septopic, Silkaren, Soneta, Suavicort, Suqi, Synaller, Tabunex, Topcort, Topison, Uniclar, Uniderm, Vizomet, Yperod, Zalconex, and Zynovate.

Combinations

The following combination drugs are available as of 2022: * Mometasone and

azelastine Azelastine, sold under the brand name Optivar among others, is a H1 receptor-blocking medication primarily used as a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and as eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis. Other uses may include asthm ...

as Nasaflex * Mometasone and

clotrimazole Clotrimazole, sold under the brand name Lotrimin, among others, is an antifungal medication. It is used to treat vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, diaper rash, tinea versicolor, and types of ringworm including athlete's foot and jock ...

and

gentamicin Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat several types of bacterial infections. This may include bone infections, endocarditis, pelvic inflammatory disease, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis among others. It is not ...

for veterinary use as Mometamax and Mometavet * Mometasone and

and mupirocin as Derma Q * Mometasone and florfenicol and terbinafine for veterinary use as Claro * Mometasone and formoterol as Dulera, Hexaler Bronquial Duo, and Zenhale * Mometasone and fusidic acid as Bactirest-M, Dermotil Fusid, and Momate-F * Mometasone and

and

posaconazole Posaconazole, sold under the brand name Noxafil among others, is a triazole antifungal medication. It was approved for medical use in the United States in September 2006, and is available as a generic medication. Medical uses Posaconazole is u ...

for veterinary use as Mometamax Ultra * Mometasone and

hydroquinone Hydroquinone, also known as benzene-1,4-diol or quinol, is an aromatic organic compound that is a type of phenol, a derivative of benzene, having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. It has two hydroxyl groups bonded to a benzene ring in a ''pa ...

and

tretinoin Tretinoin, also known as all-''trans'' retinoic acid (ATRA), is a medication used for the treatment of acne and acute promyelocytic leukemia. For acne, it is applied to the skin as a cream, gel or ointment. For leukemia, it is taken by mouth f ...

as Acnezac-MH * Mometasone and miconazole as Elica M, Elica-M, and Sensicort-F * Mometasone and mupirocin as Sensicort-B * Mometasone and orbifloxacin and

for veterinary use as Posatex, Posatex voor honden, and Posatex für Hunde * Mometasone and

salicylic acid Salicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOC6H4CO2H. A colorless, bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is a plant hormone, and has been listed by the EPA Toxic Substa ...

as Cortimax-S, Elicasal, Elocom Plus, Elosalic, Mezo-S, Momate-S, Momesalic, Momtas-S, Monsalic, and Sensicort-S * Mometasone and terbinafine as Cutizone-T, Mezo-T, and MomelomTerbi-Humanity * Mometasone and tiotropium as Tiomom

References

External links

* {{Portal bar , Medicine Antiasthmatic drugs Corticosteroid esters 2-Furyl compounds Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Organochlorides Pregnanes Progestogens Schering-Plough brands Merck & Co. brands Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate Combination drugs