Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Mometasone is a syntheticglucocorticoid that is used topically on the skin. (Thenaturally-occurring glucocorticoid is cortisol or hydrocortisone which isproduced by the adrenal gland.) Glucocorticoids have potentanti-inflammatory actions and also suppress the immune response.Mometasone was approved by the FDA in 1987.

PREPARATIONS: Ointment, cream, and lotion, all in a 0.1%concentration.

STORAGE: All preparations should be kept between 2 ° and 30°C(36-86°F). Lotion should be shaken before each use.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Mometasone is used for the relief of itching andinflammation associated with a wide variety of skin conditions.

DOSING: A thin strip of mometasone cream or ointment or a fewdrops of the lotion are applied to the affected area two to four timesdaily. The lotion should be massaged gently into the skin until itdisappears.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions withtopical mometasone.

PREGNANCY: When glucocorticoids are given systemically (orally,intramuscularly or intravenously) to pregnant animals, fetal abnormalitiesoccur. In fact, fetal abnormalities have been noted when potentglucocorticoids are applied to the skin of pregnant animals. Mometasonespecifically has not been studied in animals, and there is no data on theuse of mometasone in pregnant women. Following application to the skin, asmall amount of betamethasone dipropionate, another synthetic glucocorticoid, is absorbed into the blood and is distributed systemicallyto the rest of the body. The use of mometasone during pregnancy,therefore, should be carefully considered with the potential risks weighedagainst the possible benefit.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if mometasone is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associatedwith mometasone are burning at the area of application, itching,irritation, or dryness. All of these are quite unusual, however.

Absorption of potent glucocorticoids from the skin into the body canlead to an increased glucose concentration in blood (especially worrisomein diabetics) and symptoms or signs of glucocorticoid excess (weight gain,redistribution of fat to the face, trunk and back, etc).

Topical application of glucocorticoids may suppress the body's ownproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This is especially true forhighly potent products. Mometasone is considered an intermediate potencyglucocorticoid and would be less likely to have this effect than the highpotency products.