Mometasone (By breathing)

Introduction

Mometasone Furoate (moe-MET-a-sone FURE-oh-ate)

Prevents asthma symptoms. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Powder Under Pressure

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You will use this medicine with a device called an Twisthaler®. The Twisthaler® holds the powdered medicine and measures out each dose for you. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler.
• Write down the date when you first open the foil package. The medicine is good for only 45 days once the package is opened.
• The Twisthaler® has a small window on the side with numbers showing. This is the dose counter. It keeps track of how many more times you can use the Twisthaler® before you need to open a new one. When the dose counter reaches "00," the Twisthaler® will lock itself. If the dose counter is not working correctly, do not use the Twisthaler® and return it to your pharmacy or doctor.
• Hold the Twisthaler® upright and twist the cap in a counterclockwise direction to open it. The dose counter should change to a lower number when you take off the cap. The arrow on the Twisthaler® should be pointing to the dose counter.
• To inhale this medicine:
  • Breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of your lungs as possible.
  • Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it. The Twisthaler® will be sideways.
  • Take a fast, deep breath.
  • Take the Twisthaler® out of your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Do not breathe out into the Twisthaler®.
• Wipe the mouthpiece dry with a cloth or tissue. Do not wash it with water. Put the cap back on right away and twist it in a clockwise direction. You should hear a "click" when the cap is fully closed.
• Rinse your mouth out with water after each dose.
• You might need to use this medicine for 1 to 2 weeks before your asthma starts to improve.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Keep the Twisthaler® in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it the first time. Store the inhaler at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter is at "00" or 45 days after you opened the package. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used inhaler and any leftover medicine.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have osteoporosis or are at risk for it, or if you have cataracts, glaucoma, herpes simplex in your eye, tuberculosis, or any type of infection.
• If your treatment is being changed from oral medicine to this inhaled medicine:
  • Follow your doctor's directions very carefully. It might take some time for your body to adjust to the change. This medicine may not affect your whole body the way that oral steroid medicines do.
  • Make sure you know what to do if you have a severe asthma attack.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you have nausea or vomiting, your joints hurt, or you feel unusually tired, weak, dizzy, lightheaded, or sad. Also tell your doctor if you start to have a runny or stuffy nose, a skin rash, or itchy or watery eyes.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you get sick, had a surgery, have a serious injury, or have an unusual stress in your life.
  • Carry a medical identification card that lists your medicines. The card should also say that you might need extra medicine because of stress or a severe asthma attack.
• Using too much of this medicine for a long period of time can cause problems with your adrenal gland. Talk to your doctor if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: darkening of the skin; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting; loss of appetite; mental depression; nausea; skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; or weight loss.
• This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.
• If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
• This should not be the first medicine you use for asthma. It should only be used along with other asthma medications, such as short-acting inhalers.
• Some people have asthma problems right after inhaling this medicine. Tell your doctor if this happens. Use your fast-acting inhaler if needed.
• Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have been exposed to someone with chickenpox or measles and you have a risk of getting these illnesses.
• This medicine may cause a fungus infection of the mouth or throat (thrush). Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have white patches in the mouth or throat; or pain when eating or swallowing.
• This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this medicine.
• This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash; itching; hoarseness; trouble breathing; trouble swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine could make your bones weaker. This is only a concern if you have other risk factors for bone weakness, such as being confined to bed or having a family history of osteoporosis.
• This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than usual. Talk to your child's doctor if you have any concerns.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. You should have regular eye exams while using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, difficult or painful urination.
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles.
• Cold feeling, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss.
• Creamy white patches in your mouth or throat.
• Eye pain or trouble seeing.
• Fever, chills, cough, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and body aches.
• Worsening of breathing problems.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back pain.
• Change in menstrual periods, or heavy bleeding.
• Headache.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, upset stomach, or stomach pain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088