- Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching due to allergies (known medically as allergic rhinitis)
- Nasal polyps (small, noncancerous growths on the lining inside the nose).
Nasonex is made by Schering-Plough Corporation.
Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance -- one that does not bother most people.
These immune system reactions are known as inflammations and involve several different types of cells and several different chemicals in the body.
Nasonex is a corticosteroid, or simply "steroid" for short. Steroids can have many different effects in the body, including anti-inflammatory effects. Steroids decrease inflammation by limiting the body's ability to produce an immune system reaction. They can be effective for treating conditions such as allergies. However, long-term use of steroids can cause bothersome and sometimes serious side effects, and this limits their usefulness. Because Nasonex is a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose. This helps prevent many of the long-term side effects of steroids.
Many cases of nasal polyps are related to chronic inflammation caused by nasal allergies. Nasonex works to treat nasal polyps by decreasing inflammation.
Nasonex has been evaluated in several different studies for treating nasal
allergies. In these studies, the medication helped reduce runny nose, nasal stuffiness, itching, and sneezing. In some cases, it began working as quickly as within 11 hours of the first dose. Studies have also shown that Nasonex is effective at preventing nasal
allergy symptoms when the medication is started two to four weeks before an anticipated allergy season.
Nasonex has also been studied for treating nasal polyps. In two studies, the medication was shown to help decrease nasal congestion and the severity of the polyps.
Some general considerations for when and how to take Nasonex include the following:
- The medication comes in nasal spray form. It is usually taken once or twice a day, depending on whether it is used to treat allergies or polyps.
- Be sure to shake your bottle well before each use.
- Blow your nose before each Nasonex dose. Breathe in gently while spraying the drug into your nose. Do not try to inhale the spray or breathe in too deeply, as Nasonex works when in comes into contact with the inside surfaces of the nose, not the throat or lungs.
- Avoid aiming the spray toward the wall that separates your nostrils (in the middle of your nose, called the nasal septum). Spraying Nasonex toward the nasal septum increases the risk of nosebleeds. Some people find it easiest to avoid this by holding the bottle in the opposite hand (using the right hand to spray into the left nostril, and vice versa).
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Nasonex will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Nasonex your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Nasonex. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Viral infections
- Sore throat
- Nosebleeds
- Coughing.
(Click Nasonex Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Nasonex?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
In most instances, an overdose is unlikely to cause serious problems. Even using an entire bottle at once is not likely to cause serious overdose symptoms. However, using too much Nasonex over a long time may cause problems.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your Nasonex dose, take your 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. Do not take a double dose.
Nasonex comes in one strength --
Nasonex nasal spray, containing 120 sprays in each bottle, with 50 mcg of medication in each spray.
Is There a Generic Version of Nasonex?
Currently, no generic versions of Nasonex are licensed for sale
(see Generic Nasonex for more information).
