mometasone

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of this medication and proper cleaning of the mouthpiece. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day or once daily in the evening. Do not breathe out (exhale) into the inhaler. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If two inhalations/puffs are prescribed, wait at least one minute between them. If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait several minutes between the use of each medication, and use this drug (corticosteroid) last. Gargle and rinse your mouth with water after each use of this medication to help prevent dryness, irritation, and yeast infections (thrush) in the mouth and throat. Do not swallow the rinse water. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. This medication works best if used at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. Do not increase your dose, use this medication more frequently, or stop using it without first consulting your doctor. Always have your quick-relief inhaler with you. Keep track of the number of inhalations you use. The inhaler should be discarded when every inhalation has been used (when the dose indicator reads ''00'') or 45 days after removal from its foil overwrap pouch, whichever comes first. If you are regularly using a different corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone), you should not stop using it unless directed by your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is suddenly stopped. Some conditions (such as asthma, allergies) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. To prevent withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness), your doctor may direct you to slowly lower the dose of your old medication after you begin using this product. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately. See also Precautions section. It may take 1-2 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Learn which of your inhalers you should use every day and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens. Ask your doctor what to do if you have worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, worsening peak flow meter readings, increased use of your quick-relief inhaler, or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can self-medicate and when you should get medical help right away.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, natalizumab.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Learn to use a peak flow meter and use it daily. Promptly report worsening asthma (such as readings in the yellow or red range, or increased use of quick-relief inhalers) to your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as lung function tests, morning cortisol levels, eye exam, bone density tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Avoid allergens/irritants such as smoke, pollen, pet dander, dust, or molds that may worsen breathing problems. Because the flu virus can also worsen breathing problems, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have a flu shot every year. In adults, this medication can increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk, and about available treatments for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of bone loss include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. To help prevent osteoporosis later in life, encourage children to exercise and eat a healthy diet (including calcium).

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Before using mometasone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or allergic to lactose; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current/past infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes), bone loss (osteoporosis), eye problems (such as cataracts, glaucoma), diabetes, decreased adrenal gland function. If you have switched from a corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, or if you have been using this product in higher-than-usual doses for a long time, it may be more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used a corticosteroid taken by mouth within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. Carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that says you use (or have used) corticosteroid medications. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of too much corticosteroid medication. Also, this medication may temporarily slow down a child's rate of growth if used for a long time. However, it will probably not affect final adult height. Monitor your child's height periodically. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store with the cap securely on at room temperature away from light, heat, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

See also Precautions. Dry or irritated throat, hoarseness or coughing may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: white patches on tongue/in mouth, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (such as depression, trouble sleeping), vision problems (such as blurred vision), increased thirst/urination. Rarely, this medication has caused severe (rarely fatal), sudden worsening of breathing problems/asthma (paradoxical bronchospasm). If you experience sudden wheezing, get medical help right away. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (COPD).