RequiredWhat Is Mometasone Cream 0.1%-20g?
Mometasone Cream 0.1%-20g is a topical corticosteroid medicine containing mometasone furoate 0.1%. The 20 g tube is designed for application to affected areas of the skin as prescribed.
Each gram of 0.1% cream contains 1 mg of mometasone furoate.
Mometasone cream may help reduce:
redness
itching
swelling
inflammation
discomfort caused by certain inflammatory skin conditions
Mometasone Cream 0.1%-20g is different from mometasone nasal sprays and inhaled products. This product is formulated specifically for use on the skin.
What Is Mometasone Cream Used For?
Mometasone furoate cream 0.1% is FDA-labeled to relieve inflammatory and itchy symptoms of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adults and children 2 years of age and older.
Healthcare professionals may prescribe topical mometasone for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis when corticosteroid treatment is appropriate. MedlinePlus notes that mometasone topical may reduce redness, swelling, itching, inflammation, and discomfort associated with these conditions.
Eczema and Dermatitis
Eczema and some types of dermatitis can cause dry, red, inflamed, and itchy skin. Mometasone cream may be prescribed to control inflammation during a flare.
It does not remove the underlying tendency to develop eczema. Treatment should be limited to the affected areas and used for the period recommended by the prescriber.
Psoriasis
Mometasone topical may also be prescribed for suitable areas of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause inflamed, itchy, or scaly patches of skin.
Not every type or location of psoriasis should be treated in the same way, so patients should follow their clinician's instructions rather than applying the cream to new areas without medical advice.
How Does Mometasone Cream Work?
Mometasone furoate is a synthetic corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity. Corticosteroids act on inflammatory processes in the skin and reduce the release and activity of substances involved in redness, swelling, and itching.
The cream controls inflammation while it is being used. It does not cure chronic conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
How to Use Mometasone Cream 0.1%
Use mometasone cream exactly as prescribed.
The current US prescribing information recommends applying a thin film to the affected skin once daily. Treatment should be stopped when the condition is controlled. If the skin does not improve within about 2 weeks, the diagnosis and treatment should be reviewed by a healthcare professional.
General application steps include:
Wash and dry your hands before application.
Apply a thin layer only to the affected skin.
Gently rub the cream into the skin.
Wash your hands afterward unless your hands are being treated.
Avoid getting the cream in your eyes.
Do not apply more frequently than prescribed.
Do not cover the treated skin with a tight bandage or other occlusive dressing unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Using larger amounts, treating large areas, covering treated skin, or using topical corticosteroids for prolonged periods may increase absorption into the body and raise the risk of adverse effects.
Avoid routine use on the face, groin, or underarms unless specifically directed by your healthcare professional.
Mometasone Cream vs Mometasone Ointment
Mometasone is available in several topical dosage forms, including cream and ointment. Both may contain mometasone furoate, but their bases and skin feel are different.
Feature | Mometasone Cream | Mometasone Ointment |
|---|---|---|
Active medicine | Mometasone furoate | Mometasone furoate |
Texture | Lighter cream base | Thicker, greasier base |
Route | Topical | Topical |
Use | Applied to affected skin as prescribed | Applied to affected skin as prescribed |
Do not switch between mometasone cream and mometasone ointment simply because they contain the same active ingredient. The vehicle can affect how the medicine behaves on the skin. Use the formulation prescribed for your condition.
Possible Side Effects of Mometasone Cream
Not everyone develops side effects. In clinical trials, reported reactions with mometasone furoate cream included burning, itching, and skin thinning or atrophy.
Other local effects reported with topical corticosteroids can include:
skin irritation or dryness
folliculitis
acne-like eruptions
changes in skin color
stretch marks
allergic contact dermatitis
secondary skin infection
Contact your healthcare professional if irritation is severe, continues, or if the treated skin becomes more inflamed.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Stop using the medicine and seek medical advice if you develop signs of a significant allergic reaction or worsening skin reaction.
Contact your healthcare professional if you notice signs of infection such as increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or worsening pain.
Visual changes should also be reported. Topical corticosteroids, including topical mometasone products, have been associated with eye-related problems such as glaucoma and cataracts, particularly when exposure occurs around the eyes.
Important Warnings and Precautions
Do not use mometasone furoate cream if you have had an allergic reaction to mometasone or another ingredient in the product.
Topical corticosteroids can sometimes be absorbed through the skin. Greater absorption may occur when treatment involves large skin areas, prolonged use, damaged skin, or covered areas. Systemic absorption can suppress normal adrenal hormone production and may contribute to effects such as Cushing's syndrome or increased blood glucose in some patients.
Tell your healthcare professional if:
the skin appears infected
your symptoms become worse
significant irritation develops
you develop vision changes
the condition has not improved after about 2 weeks
If a fungal or bacterial skin infection develops, appropriate antimicrobial treatment may be needed. Mometasone should not be used as a substitute for antifungal or antibacterial therapy.
No formal drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted with mometasone furoate cream. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about your medicines and other topical products before treatment.
Can Children Use Mometasone Cream?
US prescribing information permits mometasone furoate cream in children 2 years of age and older when prescribed. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 2 years.
Children can absorb proportionally greater amounts of topical corticosteroids through their skin and may be more sensitive to systemic effects.
Do not apply the cream in a child's diaper area because diapers or plastic pants may act like an occlusive dressing and increase absorption.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, discuss mometasone cream with your healthcare professional before use.
Available human pregnancy data are limited. The prescribing information recommends using mometasone furoate cream during pregnancy only when the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
It is not known whether enough topical corticosteroid is absorbed to produce measurable amounts in human milk. Nursing patients should use mometasone cautiously and according to medical advice.
Do not apply topical mometasone directly to the nipple or areola while breastfeeding unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional.
Does Mometasone Cream Require a Prescription?
Yes. Mometasone furoate cream is a prescription medication in the United States. It should be used for a diagnosed skin condition and according to a healthcare professional's directions.
If you plan to buy mometasone cream online, check the product carefully before ordering. Confirm the:
active ingredient
0.1% strength
cream dosage form
tube size
prescription requirements
Do not use someone else's prescription or use mometasone to treat an undiagnosed rash.
Missed Application
If you forget an application, apply mometasone when you remember unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled application. In that case, skip the missed application and return to your normal schedule.
Do not apply twice as much cream to make up for a missed application.
How to Store Mometasone Cream
Keep mometasone cream in its original container, tightly closed and out of reach of children.
Store it at room temperature away from excess heat and moisture. Do not freeze the medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mometasone cream a steroid?
Yes. Mometasone furoate is a topical corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching in corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions.
Is mometasone cream available over the counter in the US?
No. Topical mometasone cream is available by prescription in the United States.
Can mometasone cream be used for eczema?
Mometasone topical may be prescribed for eczema when a healthcare professional determines that topical corticosteroid treatment is appropriate.
Can I use mometasone cream on my face?
Routine use on the face should be avoided unless your healthcare professional specifically directs you to apply it there.
What if my skin does not improve?
Contact your healthcare professional if the treated condition does not improve within approximately 2 weeks. The diagnosis or treatment may need to be reassessed.
Can I buy mometasone cream online?
Mometasone cream may be available through pharmacies that dispense prescription medications. Because it is a prescription drug in the US, it should be obtained and used with an appropriate prescription and professional medical guidance.
References
DailyMed. Mometasone Furoate Cream USP, 0.1%, US prescribing information.
MedlinePlus. Mometasone Topical Drug Information.
Mayo Clinic. Mometasone Topical Application Route.
