Mometasone Inhaler

The mometasone inhaler is used to prevent asthma attacks. The medication is not intended to treat asthma attacks once they start. Mometasone is a type of steroid that works by reducing the inflammation in the airways to the lungs that makes asthma attacks more likely. To reduce the chances of drug interactions, you should let your healthcare provider know (prior to taking the mometasone inhaler) about all other medications you are taking.

 

What Is the Mometasone Inhaler?

The mometasone inhaler (Asmanex®) is a prescription medication used to prevent asthma attacks.
 
(Click What Are Mometasone Inhalers Used For? for more information on what the mometasone inhaler is used for, including possible off-label uses of the medication.)
 

Who Makes the Mometasone Inhaler?

The mometasone inhaler is made by the Schering-Plough Corporation.
 

How Does the Mometasone Inhaler Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. However, when you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). This inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating (see Asthma Triggers). When the airways react, the muscles around these airways tighten, inflammation inside the airways increases, and cells inside the airways produce more mucus. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe.
 
The mometasone inhaler is an asthma medication that belongs to a group of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids for short. Inhaled steroids go directly into the lungs and help to decrease the inflammation of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely. Because the mometasone inhaler does not work quickly, it should not be used for treating an asthma attack. Rather, it is used twice a day in order to prevent asthma attacks.
 
Because the mometasone inhaler is inhaled directly into the lungs, the rest of the body is exposed to lower steroid levels, compared to steroids that are taken orally. This helps reduce or eliminate many of the side effects associated with long-term steroid use.
 
(Click Asthma Treatment for information about other medicines used for treating asthma.)
 
(Mometasone Inhaler Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;