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mometasone

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Brand names: Asmanex

Inhaled Corticosteroid Rx

Mometasone cream is a medicine that reduces skin inflammation and itching. It belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.28/unit

Generic Available

Yes (16 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

This cream treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching.

Common side effects

Burning, Itching, Skin thinning

Key warnings

Using too much mometasone cream, using it for a long time, or covering large areas of skin can increase the risk of side effects.

How It Works

Mometasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. It works by reducing the chemicals in the body that cause swelling and itching. This helps to relieve skin irritation.

How to Take It

Apply a thin layer of mometasone cream to the affected skin once a day. Stop using it when your skin problem is under control. If your skin does not get better after 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. Do not cover the treated area with airtight dressings unless your doctor tells you to.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, use mometasone cream only if your doctor says it is okay. There may be risks to the baby. It is not known if mometasone passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before using it if you are breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store mometasone cream at room temperature, away from excessive heat.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 12,301 FDA adverse event reports.

Difficulty breathing
1,730
Asthma
1,553
Medicine not working
1,477
Headache
1,394
Cough
1,178
Tiredness
1,098
Using medicine for unapproved purpose
1,035
Wheezing
966
Acid reflux
965
Itching
905

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 17,186 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.

Total Reports

17,186

Death-Related Reports

814

Hospitalization Reports

5,350

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 9,620 (62%)
Male 5,818 (38%)

Age Distribution

0–17 893
18–44 2,275
45–64 4,126
65–74 2,383
75+ 2,102

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DYSPNOEA 1,730
2 ASTHMA 1,553
3 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 1,477
4 HEADACHE 1,393
5 COUGH 1,178
6 FATIGUE 1,098
7 OFF LABEL USE 1,035
8 WHEEZING 966
9 GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE 965
10 PRURITUS 905
11 NAUSEA 892
12 PAIN 818
13 PNEUMONIA 804
14 RASH 761
15 THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE 740

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 287
PNEUMONIA 83
DYSPNOEA 80
OFF LABEL USE 63
HYPERSENSITIVITY 58
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION 54
CARDIAC DISORDER 53
FATIGUE 52
PLEURAL EFFUSION 51
WEIGHT DECREASED 50

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

DYSPNOEA 921
ASTHMA 767
PNEUMONIA 581
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE 557
HEADACHE 539
WHEEZING 536
COUGH 461
FATIGUE 420
PYREXIA 409
HYPERTENSION 399

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Using too much mometasone cream, using it for a long time, or covering large areas of skin can increase the risk of side effects. This can cause your body to stop making enough of its own natural steroid hormones. Children are more likely to get these side effects. This medicine may also increase your risk of cataracts and glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have blurred vision.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate darunavir

betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroids Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression.

Mechanism: Darunavir slows down how fast your body gets rid of mometasone, which can cause the steroid to reach dangerously high levels.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for signs of too much steroid in your body or consider using a different medicine.

Corticosteroids primarily metabolized by CYP3A betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, dexamethasone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, mometasone, triamcinolone ↑ corticosteroid Co-administration with corticosteroids (all routes of administration) of which exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.

Mechanism: Ritonavir stops your body from clearing out mometasone, which can lead to high steroid levels and cause serious hormonal imbalances.

What to do: Talk to your doctor about the risks, as this combination can cause your body to stop making its own natural hormones.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted with mometasone furoate cream.

Mechanism: There have been no specific studies done to see how these two forms of the same medicine interact with each other.

What to do: Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using multiple products with the same active ingredient to prevent using too much.

Common Questions

What should I avoid while using mometasone cream?
Avoid getting the cream in your eyes. Do not use it on your face, groin, or armpits unless your doctor tells you to.
Can I use bandages with this cream?
Do not use airtight bandages or dressings unless your doctor tells you to.
What if my skin gets irritated?
Tell your doctor if you develop skin irritation or any other unexpected side effects.
How long should I use this cream?
Use mometasone cream only for as long as your doctor tells you to. Stop when your skin condition improves.
Can children use this cream?
Mometasone cream can be used in children 2 years and older. Talk to your doctor about the right amount to use.
What are the signs of skin thinning?
Signs of skin thinning include shininess, loss of elasticity, and easy bruising.
What should I do if I think I have side effects?
Contact your doctor if you experience any side effects while using this cream.
Can this cream interact with other medicines?
No drug interaction studies have been done with mometasone cream.
What does 'topical' mean?
"Topical" means that the cream is for use only on the skin.
What should I do if I accidentally swallow the cream?
Call a doctor or poison control center right away.
What are the common side effects of mometasone?
The most commonly reported side effects of mometasone include Burning, Itching, Skin thinning. Based on 12,301 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does mometasone interact with other medications?
Yes, mometasone has 3 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include darunavir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, mometasone topical. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is mometasone?
mometasone belongs to the Inhaled Corticosteroid drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This cream treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching.
Is mometasone safe during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, use mometasone cream only if your doctor says it is okay. There may be risks to the baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Inhaled Corticosteroid

Other drugs grouped near mometasone — same-class peers and common alternatives.

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Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

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What the FDA Data Shows for mometasone

The FDA label for mometasone (sold under brand names such as Asmanex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Inhaled Corticosteroid class. This cream treats skin problems that cause inflammation and itching. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Burning, Itching, Skin thinning.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 12,301 voluntary reports. The database also lists 3 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.28.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: July 9, 2019

All federal data sources used on this page