Nasonex Special Precautions

NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray should not be used in the presence of untreated localized infection involving the nasal mucosa.
Because of the inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on wound healing, patients who have experienced recent nasal surgery or trauma should not use a nasal corticosteroid until healing has occurred.
Following 12 months of treatment with NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray, there was no evidence of atrophy of the nasal mucosa; also, mometasone furoate tended to reverse the nasal mucosa closer to a normal histologic phenotype. As with any long-term treatment, patients using NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray over several months or longer should be examined periodically for possible changes in the nasal mucosa. If localized fungal infection of the nose or pharynx develops, discontinuance of NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray therapy or appropriate treatment may be required. Persistence of nasopharyngeal irritation may be an indication for discontinuing NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray.
NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculous infections of the respiratory tract, or in untreated fungal, bacterial, systemic viral infections or ocular herpes simplex.
There is no evidence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression following prolonged treatment with NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray. However, patients who are transferred from long-term administration of systemically active corticosteroids to NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray require careful attention. Systemic corticosteroid withdrawal in such patients may result in adrenal insufficiency for a number of months until recovery of HPA axis function. If these patients exhibit signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, systemic corticosteroid administration should be resumed and other modes of therapy and appropriate measures instituted.
Treatment with higher than recommended doses may result in clinically significant adrenal suppression. If there is evidence for higher than recommended doses being used, then additional systemic corticosteroid cover should be considered during periods of stress or elective surgery.
In a placebo-controlled clinical trial in which pediatric patients were administered NASONEX 100 micrograms daily for one year, no reduction in growth velocity was observed.
Safety and efficacy of NASONEX Nasal Spray for the treatment of nasal polyposis in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age have not been studied.
During transfer from systemic corticosteroids to NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray, some patients may experience symptoms of withdrawal from systemically active corticosteroids (e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, and depression initially) despite relief from nasal symptoms and will require encouragement to continue NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray therapy. Such transfer may also unmask pre-existing allergic conditions such as allergic conjunctivitis and eczema, previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Patients receiving corticosteroids who are potentially immunosuppressed should be warned of the risk of exposure to certain infections (e.g., chickenpox, measles) and of the importance of obtaining medical advice if such exposure occurs.
Following the use of intranasal aerosolized corticosteroids, instances of nasal septum perforation or increased intraocular pressure have been reported very rarely.
Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical (including, intranasal, inhaled and intraocular) corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes of visual disturbances which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.
Acute Rhinosinusitis: If signs or symptoms of severe bacterial infection are observed (such as fever, persistent severe unilateral facial/tooth pain, orbital or peri-orbital facial swelling, or worsening of symptoms after an initial improvement), the patient should be advised to consult their physician immediately.
Safety and efficacy of NASONEX Aqueous Nasal Spray for the treatment of symptoms of rhinosinusitis in children under 12 years of age have not been studied.
General Nasal Corticosteroid Warning: Systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for prolonged periods. Growth retardation has been reported in children receiving nasal corticosteroids at licensed doses.
It is recommended that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with nasal corticosteroids is regularly monitored. If growth is slowed, therapy should be reviewed with the aim of reducing the dose of nasal corticosteroid, if possible, to the lowest dose at which effective control of symptoms is maintained. In addition, consideration should be given to referring patient to a paediatric specialist.