Two medicines, side by side
Mometasone vs oxymetazoline
Mometasone and oxymetazoline are both labeled for allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of mometasone since 1987 and of oxymetazoline since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.354 per gram (Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream) and $0.111 per mL (Nasal decongestant 0.05% spray) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Oxymetazoline's other strengths are brand-only: $23.47 per gram (Rhofade 1% cream). In FDA's classes, mometasone is a corticosteroid and oxymetazoline a vasoconstrictor.
Check it at the source: the mometasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the oxymetazoline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026).
Highlights of the mometasone record
Mometasone (Allergy) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • runny nose • sneezing • itchy nose
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 30, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.354 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the oxymetazoline record
Oxymetazoline (Upneeq) · label of July 13, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxymetazoline Hydrochloride Cream, 1% is indicated for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults. Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Cream is an alpha 1A adrenoceptor agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 30, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 1 labeler
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.111 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Mometasone label of August 19, 2026, Oxymetazoline label of July 13, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do mometasone and oxymetazoline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, mometasone is a corticosteroid and oxymetazoline a vasoconstrictor.
Generics: mometasone since 2002; oxymetazoline since 2021 (Drugs@FDA).
| Mometasone | Oxymetazoline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies, Asthma | Cough and cold, Allergies |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Vasoconstrictor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Oxymetazoline is an alpha 1A adrenoceptor agonist. Oxymetazoline acts as a vasoconstrictor. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 30, 1987 | May 30, 1986 |
| First generic approved | March 18, 2002 | October 4, 2021 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 1 labeler |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.354 per gram (Mometasone furoate 0.1% cream) | $0.111 per mL (Nasal decongestant 0.05% spray) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -0.8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,531 | 6,779 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to mometasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions