Nasometin – nasal spray. How to dose the drug?

Proven content

Nasometin is an aerosol drug most often used in ENT, allergology and family medicine. The main component of the drug Nasometin is the corticosteroid mometasone. Nasometin primarily reduces swelling and irritation of the nasal mucosa, thereby relieving sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion or runny caused by hay fever. What are the indications for the use of the drug? When not to use it? Can taking it cause side effects in the patient? How much is the drug Nasometin?

Nasometin – general characteristics of the drug

Nasometin in an aerosol is a medicinal preparation that is most often prescribed by ENT specialists, allergists or family medicine doctors. It’s a drug that can help relieve inflammation, sneezing, itching, and the sensation of stuffy or watery runny nose.

The main ingredient of the drug Nasometin is mometasone, i.e. a compound belonging to the group of corticosteroids.

Nasometin is a prescription medicine available as a nasal spray in pack sizes:

1. 1 × 10 g (60 sprays);
2. 1 × 17 g (120 sprays);
3. 1 × 18 g (140 sprays);
4. 2×18 g (140 rozpyleń).

Nasometin is a white, homogeneous suspension, packed in white plastic bottles with a pump and dispenser. The drug is placed in a cardboard box.

The entity responsible for the production and distribution of Nasometin is Sandoz GmbH, a world leader in the generic and biosimilar drugs market. The concern, which is popular today, started its activity as a small chemical company. Its origins date back to 1886. The company was founded in Basel, Switzerland, and was involved in the production of dyes. Within 10 years, it was possible to develop and produce the first pharmaceutical substance, i.e. antipyrine. In 1929, Calcium Sandoz, a preparation that became a breakthrough drug in modern calcium therapy, was introduced to the market. To this day, it is one of the most recognizable preparations of the Sandoz GmbH concern.

Various pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the distribution of Nasometin in Poland, including:

1. Delfarma Sp. z o. o – Delfarma is a leader in parallel import. This company supplies the Polish market with cheaper drugs and thus significantly contributes to the reduction of health care costs. The Delfarma company was established in 2004 and offers over 500 drugs. The company’s head office is located in Łódź;
2. InPharm Sp. z oo – InPharm is a company that has been dealing with parallel import and distribution of medicinal products, medical devices and cosmetics since 2006. The company has an extensive network of suppliers throughout the European Union. The company’s head office is located in Warsaw;
3. Forfarm Sp. z o.o. — direct parallel importer. The company has over 400 licenses for pharmaceutical products. The company Forfarm Sp. z o. o. started its commercial activity in 2006. It is primarily a pharmaceutical wholesaler with an established position on the pharmaceutical market. The main activity of the company is trade in medicinal products under the parallel import procedure and export to licensed entities in the European Union countries. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw;
4. PharmaVitae Sp. z o. o. sp. k. – PharmaVitae is a company dealing with parallel import on the Polish pharmaceutical market. Since 2011, the company has been building a leading position, cooperating with business partners from the European Union, as well as expanding the portfolio of imported medicinal products, private labels and logistics services. The company’s head office is located in Warsaw;

How to recognize and treat an allergy? Check: Allergy

Nasometin – composition and action of the drug

The drug Nasometin is a corticosteroid whose main ingredient is mometasone furoate. Each spray contains 50 micrograms of mometasone furoate as mometasone furoate monohydrate.

Mometasone is a synthetic fluorinated glucocorticosteroid that should be applied topically. Although the physiological, pharmacological and clinical effects of corticosteroids are well known, their exact mechanism of action remains unclear. However, the main one mechanism of action of mometasone in the target cell it consists in inhibiting or stimulating the expression of genes whose protein products influence the inflammatory process.

The drug Nasometin is anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and immunosuppressive. It also has a vasoconstrictive effect, which limits its absorption into the blood.

After topical administration, mometasone is poorly absorbed from the skin into the blood. After nasal administration, the bioavailability of the drug is also negligible. Following absorption, topical steroids are bound to varying degrees with plasma proteins, metabolised in the liver, and excreted primarily in the urine and partly in the bile.

The other ingredients of Nasometin are microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carmellose, glycerol, citric acid monohydrate, sodium citrate, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride and water for injections.

Nasometin – indications for use

Nasometin is primarily used to relieve inflammation (swelling and irritation of the nasal mucosa), sneezing, itching and nasal congestion or runny nose.

The indications for the use of the drug Nasometin are primarily:

1. hay fever and perennial rhinitis Hay fever occurs several times a year. This ailment is an allergic reaction caused by inhaled pollen of trees, grasses, weeds, as well as molds and fungal spores. Year-round rhinitis occurs throughout the year, and symptoms can be triggered by hypersensitivity to a variety of factors, including house dust mites, animal hair, feathers, and certain foods. Nasometin reduces the swelling and irritation of the nasal mucosa, thereby relieving sneezing, itching and stuffy or runny nose caused by hay fever or perennial rhinitis;
2. polypy nose – these are small growths inside the nose. Nasometin reduces the inflammation which causes the polyps to gradually constrict and relieve the feeling of stuffy nose by making it easier to breathe through the nose.

How to recognize and treat nasal polyps? Check: Polyps in the nose – symptoms, treatment, removal. Home remedies for polyps in the nose

Nasometin – contraindications to use

The drug Nasometin, despite its effectiveness in the treatment of hay fever or polyps of the nose, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of the drug Nasometin are:

1. allergic to mometasone furoate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine;
2. an untreated infection of the nasal mucosa. The use of Nasometin during such an infection (e.g. herpes) may worsen the course of the disease. Wait until the infection is resolved with the nasal spray;
3. recent nose surgery or nose injury. You should not use the nasal spray until your nose has healed.

If the above circumstances apply to you, you should not take Nasomethin. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Nasometin

What should you know about drug hypersensitivity? Check: Drugs are also allergenic

Nasometin – precautions

Before and during the use of Nasometin, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

First of all, the decision to start treatment with Nasometin should be consulted with a physician by patients:

1. suffering from tuberculosis at present or in the past;
2. struggling with any other infection;
3. receiving other corticosteroids (by mouth or injection);
4. suffering from cystic fibrosis.

Consultation with a doctor is also required in cases where:

1. your immune system is not working properly (if you have difficulty fighting an infection)
2. the patient has contact with someone who has measles or chickenpox. Contact with such persons should be avoided;
3. you have an infection in your nose or throat;
4. the patient uses the drug for several months or even longer;
5. you have persistent nose or throat irritation.

It is also worth remembering that:

1. the drug should be kept out of the sight and reach of children at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius;
2. the shelf life after first opening the bottle is 2 months. Only open one bottle at a time;
3. the drug should not be frozen;
4. packaging that is damaged or shows signs of tampering should not be used;
5. you should not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

What should you know about proper drug storage? Check: Medications that are stored wrongly are poisonous

Nasometin – dosage and method of use

Always use Nasometin exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

In the treatment of hay fever and perennial allergic mucositis, the dosage of Nasometin depends on the patient’s age:

1. adults and children over 12 years of age – the recommended dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. When you feel better, your doctor may reduce your dose. However, if you do not feel better, contact your doctor who may advise you to increase the dose. The maximum daily dose is 4 sprays in each nostril once a day;
2. children aged 3-11 – the recommended dose is 1 spray into each nostril once a day.

In some patients, Nasometin should improve 12 hours after the first dose, although the full benefit of treatment may not be seen until two days after taking the drug. If the patient has severe hay fever symptoms, treatment may need to be started several days before the pollen season starts. When the pollen season is over, your hay fever symptoms should clear up and treatment may no longer be necessary.

For the treatment of nasal polyps, the drug is used only in adult patients. The recommended starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. If there is no improvement after 5 to 6 weeks of treatment, your doctor may increase the dose to two sprays in each nostril twice a day. When you feel better, your doctor may reduce your dose. If you do not feel better after 5 to 6 weeks of taking the drug twice a day, see your doctor.

Correct application of the preparation is very important in the use of Nasometin. Remember to shake the bottle before each use. The applicator should not be pierced with a pin or other sharp object.

Before using Nasometin for the first time check the operation of the applicator by pressing the bottle 10 times until a fine mist is obtained. To do this, you need to:

1. shake the bottle well;
2. remove the plastic cap;
3. place your index and middle fingers on both sides of the dispenser, and your thumb under the bottle;
4. do not pierce the applicator;
5. pointing the tip of the dispenser away from you, press it with your fingers so as to spray the aerosol 10 times until a fine mist is obtained

Aby administer Nasometin correctly belongs:

1. shake the bottle well and remove the cap;
2. gently blow your nose to clear the nasal passages;
3. close one nostril and put the tip of the dispenser into the other nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly, keeping the bottle upright;
4. press the dispenser with your fingers once to spray a fine mist of aerosol into your nose and at the same time start gently or slowly inhaling through the nose;
5. breathe out through the mouth;
6. remove the tip of the dispenser from the nostril and breathe out through your mouth;
7. repeat the steps to spray into the other nostril.

Correct use is very important for the repeated use of Nasomethin cleaning the applicator. To do this, you need to:

1. remove the cap and gently pull off the tip of the dispenser;
2. wash the tip of the dispenser and the cap in warm water, then rinse under running water;
3. do not try to unblock the applicator by inserting a pin or other sharp object into the hole as this may damage the applicator and give the wrong dose of medication;
4. leave the cap and dispenser tip in a warm place to dry;
5. put the tip of the dispenser on the bottle and then insert the cap;
6. after cleaning, re-check the operation by pressing the bottle twice. 

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Nasometin – side effects

The drug Nasometin, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

Immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions, including severe ones, may occur after using this medicine. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention immediately:

1. swelling of the face, tongue or throat;
2. difficulty swallowing;
3. hives;
4. wheezing or difficulty breathing.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Common side effects after taking Nasometin are:

1. Headache;
2. sneezing;
3. epistaxis;
4. pain in the nose or throat;
5. ulceration of the nasal mucosa;
6. respiratory tract infection.

They may occur with an unknown frequency:

1. increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) or cataracts causing visual disturbances;
2. damage to the nasal septum;
3. blurred vision;
4. changes in taste and smell;
5. difficulty breathing and wheezing.

What are inhalers and how to choose the right one? Read on: How to choose the right inhaler? Characteristics, types, advantages and disadvantages of inhalation

Nasometin – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Nasometin, inform the treating physician or pharmacist about all the medications they are taking or have recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

Certain drugs may increase the effect of Nasomethin. Your doctor may want to closely monitor you when you are taking these medicines, including some medicines used to treat HIV infection: ritonavir and cobicistat.

If you are taking other corticosteroids by mouth or injection to treat your allergy, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them when you start taking Nasomethin.

Some patients may experience side effects such as joint or muscle pain, weakness and depression after stopping taking oral or injection corticosteroids. Other allergic symptoms such as itching, watery eyes or red itchy patches of skin may also occur.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Nasometin and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Nasometin.

At present, there is insufficient information on the use of Nasometin in pregnant women. It is also unknown whether mometasone furoate is excreted in human milk.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Something — dinner

The price of Nasometin may vary depending on the city in which the spray will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the size of the package. Dinner at Nasometin ranges on average from PLN 7 to PLN 14 per package.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole does not have a doctor’s appointment

Nasometin – substitutes

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Nasometin, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Among the preparations that contain the same corticosteroid drug Nasomietin are:

1. Aleric Spray – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
2. Asmanex Twisthaler – inhalation powder;
3. Edelan – in cream or ointment;
4. Elitasone – in an ointment or solution on the skin;
5. Elocom – in cream, ointment or liquid;
6. Elosone – in cream, ointment or skin solution;
7. Eztom – nasal spray in the form of a suspension and in an ointment;
8. Ivoxel – in cream;
9. Metmin – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
10. Momecutan – in an ointment, cream or solution for the skin;
11. Momester – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
12. Momester Nasal – nasal spray;
13. Mometaxon – in ointment;
14. Nasometin Control – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
15. Nasonex – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
16. Ovixan – in a cream and in a solution for the skin;
17. Pronasal – nasal spray in the form of a suspension;
18. Pronasal Control – a nasal spray in the form of a suspension.

When is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can