PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Nasonex® 50 micrograms/actuation Nasal Spray, Suspension

Mometasone Furoate

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important

information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if

their signs of illness are the same as yours.

- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects

not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Nasonex is and what it is used for

2. What you need to know before you use Nasonex

3. How to use Nasonex

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Nasonex

6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Nasonex is and what it is used for

What is Nasonex?

Nasonex Nasal Spray contains mometasone furoate, one of a group of medicines called corticosteroids.

When mometasone furoate is sprayed into the nose, it can help to relieve inflammation (swelling and

irritation of the nose), sneezing, itching and a blocked up or runny nose.

What is Nasonex used for?

Hay fever and perennial rhinitis

Nasonex is used to treat the symptoms of hay fever (also called seasonal allergic rhinitis) and perennial

rhinitis in adults and children aged 3 and older.

Hay fever, which occurs at certain times of the year, is an allergic reaction caused by breathing in pollen

from trees, grasses, weeds and also moulds and fungal spores. Perennial rhinitis occurs throughout the

year and symptoms can be caused by a sensitivity to a variety of things including house dust mite, animal

hair (or dander), feathers and certain foods. Nasonex reduces the swelling and irritation in your nose and

thereby relieving sneezing, itching and a blocked-up or runny nose caused by hay fever or perennial

rhinitis.

Nasal polyps

Nasonex is used to treat nasal polyps in adults aged 18 and over.

Nasal polyps are small growths on the lining of the nose and usually affect both nostrils. Nasonex reduces

the inflammation in the nose, causing the polyps to gradually shrink, thereby relieving a blocked feeling in

the nose which may affect breathing through the nose.

2. What you need to know before you use Nasonex

Do not use Nasonex

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mometasone furoate or any of the other ingredients of this

medicine (listed in section 6).

• if you have an untreated infection in your nose. Use of Nasonex during an untreated infection in your

nose, such as herpes, can worsen the infection. You should wait until the infection is resolved before

you start using the nasal spray.

• if you have recently had an operation on your nose or you have injured your nose. You should not use

the nasal spray until your nose has healed.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Nasonex

• if you have or have ever had tuberculosis.

• if you have any other infection.

• if you are taking other corticosteroid medicines, either by mouth or by injection.

• if you have cystic fibrosis.

While you are using Nasonex, talk to your doctor

• if your immune system is not functioning well (if you have difficulty in fighting infection) and you

come into contact with anyone with measles or chickenpox. You should avoid coming into contact

with anyone who has these infections.

• if you have an infection of the nose or throat.

• if you are using the medicine for several months or longer.

• if you have persistent irritation to the nose or throat.

When corticosteroid nasal sprays are used at high doses for long periods of time, side effects may occur

due to the drug being absorbed in the body.

If your eyes are itching or irritated, your doctor may recommend that you use other treatments with

Nasonex.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Children

When used at high doses for long periods of time, corticosteroid nasal sprays may cause certain side-

effects, such as slowed growth rate in children.

It is recommended that the height of children receiving long-term treatment with nasal corticosteroids is

regularly monitored and if any changes are noted, their doctor should be notified.

Other medicines and Nasonex

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines,

including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you are taking other corticosteroid medicines for allergy, either by mouth or injection, your doctor may

advise you to stop taking them once you begin using Nasonex. A few people may find that once they

discontinue oral or injected corticosteroids they suffer from some undesirable effects, such as joint or

muscular pain, weakness and depression. You may also seem to develop other allergies, such as itchy,

watering eyes or patches of red and itchy skin. If you develop any of these effects, you should contact

your doctor.

Some medicines may increase the effects of Nasonex and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully

if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

There is little or no information on the use of Nasonex in pregnant women. It is not known if mometasone

furoate is found in breast milk.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your

doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

There is no known information on the effect of Nasonex on the ability to drive or use machinery.

Nasonex contains benzalkonium chloride

Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time.

3. How to use Nasonex

Always use Nasonex exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or

pharmacist if you are not sure. Do not use a larger dose or use the spray more often or for longer than your

doctor tells you to.

Treatment of Hayfever and Perennial Rhinitis

Use in adults and children over 12 years old

The usual dose is two sprays into each nostril once a day.

• Once your symptoms are under control, your doctor may advise you to decrease the dose.

• If you do not start to feel any better, you should see your doctor and he or she may tell you to increase

the dose; the maximum daily dose is four sprays into each nostril once a day.

Use in children aged 3 to 11 years

The usual dose is one spray into each nostril once daily.

In some patients Nasonex begins to relieve symptoms within 12 hours after the first dose; however full

benefit of treatment may not be seen in the first two days. Therefore, you should continue regular use to

achieve full benefit of treatment.

If you or your child suffer badly from hay fever, your doctor may tell you to start using Nasonex some

days before the start of the pollen season, as this will help to prevent your hay fever symptoms from

occurring.

Nasal Polyps

Use in adults over 18 years old

The usual starting dose is two sprays into each nostril once daily.

• If symptoms are not controlled after 5 to 6 weeks, the dose may be increased to two sprays in each

nostril twice daily. Once symptoms are under control, your doctor may advise you to decrease your

dose.

• If no improvement in symptoms is seen after 5 to 6 weeks of twice daily administration, you should

contact your doctor.

Preparing your nasal spray for use

Your Nasonex Nasal Spray has a dust cap which protects the nozzle and keeps it clean. Remember to take

this off before using the spray and to replace it after use.

If you are using the spray for the first time you need to ‘prime’ the bottle by pumping the spray 10 times

until a fine mist is produced:

1. Gently shake the bottle.

2. Put your forefinger and middle finger either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath the bottle.

Do Not pierce the nasal applicator.

3. Point the nozzle away from you and then press down with your fingers to pump the spray 10 times

until a fine mist is produced.

If you have not used the spray for 14 days or more, you need to “re-prime” the bottle by pumping the

spray 2 times until a fine mist is produced.

How to use your nasal spray

1. Shake the bottle gently and remove the dust cap. (Figure 1)

2. Gently blow your nose.

3. Close one nostril and put the nozzle into the other nostril as shown. (Figure

2) Tilt your head forward slightly, keeping the bottle upright.

4. Start to breathe in gently or slowly through your nose and whilst you are

breathing in squirt a spray of fine mist into your nose by pressing down

ONCE with your fingers.

5. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat step 4 to inhale a second spray in

the same nostril if applicable.

6. Remove the nozzle from this nostril and breathe out through the mouth.

7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for the other nostril (Figure 3).

After using the spray, wipe the nozzle carefully with a clean handkerchief

or tissue and replace the dust cap.

Cleaning your nasal spray

• It is important to clean your nasal spray regularly, otherwise it may not work properly.

• Remove the dust cap and gently pull off the nozzle.

• Wash the nozzle and dust cap in warm water and then rinse under a running tap.

• Do not try to unblock the nasal applicator by inserting a pin or other sharp object as this will

damage the applicator and cause you not to get the right dose of medicine.

• Allow the dust cap and nozzle to dry in a warm place.

• Push the nozzle back onto the bottle and replace the dust cap.

• The spray will need to be primed again with 2 sprays when first used after cleaning.

If you use more Nasonex than you should

Tell your doctor if you accidentally use more than you were told.

If you use steroids for a long time or in large amounts they may, rarely, affect some of your hormones. In

children this may affect growth and development.

If you forget to use Nasonex

If you forget to use your nasal spray at the right time, use it as soon as you remember, then carry on as

before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop using Nasonex

In some patients Nasonex should begin to relieve symptoms 12 hours after the first dose; however full

benefit of treatment may not be seen for up to two days. It is very important that you use your nasal spray

regularly. Do not stop your treatment even if you feel better unless told to do so by your doctor.

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

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions may occur after use of this product. These reactions may

be severe. You should stop taking Nasonex and get immediate medical help if you experience symptoms

such as:

• swollen face, tongue or pharynx

• trouble swallowing

• hives

• wheezing or trouble breathing

When corticosteroid nasal sprays are used at high doses for long periods of time, side effects may occur

due to the drug being absorbed in the body.

Other side effects

Most people do not have any problems after using the nasal spray. However, some people, after using

Nasonex or other corticosteroid nasal sprays, may find that they suffer from:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• headache

• sneezing

• nose bleeds [occurred very commonly (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) in people with nasal

polyps receiving Nasonex two sprays in each nostril twice a day]

• sore nose or throat

• ulcers in the nose

• respiratory tract infection

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• increase in pressure in the eye (glaucoma) and/or cataracts causing visual disturbances,

• damage to the partition in the nose which separates the nostrils

• changes in taste and smell

• difficulty in breathing and/or wheezing

• blurred vision

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not

listed in this leaflet.

You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or

search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can

help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Nasonex

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not store the bottle above 25°C. Do not freeze.

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and carton after EXP.

The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

• The bottle should be used within 2 months of first opening. Only open one bottle at a time.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw

away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Nasonex contains

• The active substance is mometasone furoate. Each spray contains 50 micrograms of mometasone

furoate, as the monohydrate.

• The other ingredients are dispersible cellulose, glycerol, sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate,

polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, purified water.

• This medicine contains 0.02 mg of benzalkonium chloride per spray.

What Nasonex looks like and contents of the pack

Nasonex is a nasal spray suspension.

Each bottle contains 60 sprays or 140 sprays.

Bottles containing 60 sprays are supplied in single packs.

Bottles containing 140 sprays are supplied in packs of 1, 2, or 3 bottles.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

The Marketing Authorisation Holder is Organon Pharma (UK) Limited, The Hewett Building, 14

Hewett Street, London EC2A 3NP, United Kingdom.

The manufacturer is:

Organon Heist bv, Industriepark 30, 2220 Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:

Austria: Nasonex aquosum – Nasenspray

Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, UK: Nasonex

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovak Republic: NASONEX

Latvia: Nasonex 50 mikrogrami/deva deguna aerosols,suspensija

Portugal: Nasomet

Spain: NASONEX 50 microgramos suspensión para pulverización nasal

This leaflet was last approved in November 2022.

PIL.NSX.22.UK.0163.IA-ORG-Heist.NORCN