Should I Use Nasonex For My Allergies?

Question: Should I Use Nasonex For My Allergies?

Answer: Nasonex (mometasone furoate) is a good choice for the treatment of nasal allergies. Nasonex is a prescription nasal steroid spray indicated for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children two years of age and older. Nasonex delivered as 50 micrograms of mometasone furoate per spray, with the correct dosage being one spray per nostril once daily for children two to 11 years of age, and two sprays per nostril once daily in adults and children 12 years and older. Nasonex is also approved for the treatment of nasal polyps in adults at a dose of two sprays per nostril twice a day.

Find out more about the use of nasal sprays for the treatment of hay fever.

Nasonex works about as well as other nasal steroid sprays, and with similar side effects. It has the advantage of generally being the lowest cost of the brand name nasal steroids.

The most common side effects of Nasonex are similar to other nasal steroids, and include headache, sore throat, and bloody nose. Nasonex contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative, which has been shown to cause nasal irritation. However, all other nasal steroids contain benzalkonium chloride, with the exception of Omnaris, which uses potassium sorbate as a preservative.

Read more about the side effects of nasal steroids.

_Sources:

_{Wallace D, Dykewicz M, editors. The Diagnosis and Management of Rhinitis: An Updated Practice Parameter. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008;122:S1-84.}

_{Nasonex package insert. Merck Corporation. Website accessed January 30, 2011.}

_{Omnaris package insert. Sepracor Corporation. Website accessed January 30, 2011.}

_{DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.}