Mometasone Cream & Ointment

What is Mometasone Cream & Ointment?

Both the Mometasone cream and ointment contain the same active ingredient, mometasone furoate 0.1%, which is classified as a “potent'' or high strength corticosteroid that is effective in the treatment of itchy, red and inflamed skin caused by conditions such as Psoriasis or Dermatitis.

Mometasone is manufactured by a range of generic companies and is suitable for short-term use, a maximum of 5 days, by children and adults over the age of 2 years. The ointment is a more greasy formula ideal for very dry, scaly patches of the skin whereas the cream is much lighter making it more comfortable for use in the day time or on skin that is moist.

What is Mometasone Cream & Ointment used for?

Both Mometasone cream and ointment are steroid treatments used to reduce inflammation, redness and itching caused by skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.

Mometasone is most commonly prescribed to people who suffer from these skin conditions severely and where non-prescription treatments such as emollients or milder steroid creams such as hydrocortisone have not been effective.

How do Mometasone Cream & Ointment work?

The active ingredient in Mometasone is a powerful or “potent” steroid called mometasone furoate. Metasone works similarly to other steroids that are applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, redness and itching. It helps to reverse the body's inflammatory reaction by restricting blood flow to the affected areas and preventing the release of certain chemicals.

Mometasone Ointment Vs Cream?

The choice between an ointment and cream is largely dictated by personal preference. Ointments have fever ingredients and are greasier, though can be cosmetically less suitable. Creams are easier to apply but can cause transient stinging, especially if the skin is broken. If you need help deciding please talk to one of our trained medical professionals.

How quickly does Mometasone work?

Once Mometasone cream or ointment is applied to the skin it will start reducing irritation immediately. It should be used once a day for a maximum of 5 consecutive days. If you do not see a significant improvement to the condition of your skin within 5 days you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice about your treatment options.

Mometasone vs Betnovate

Mometasone Cream, Ointment and Scalp Lotion are all prescribed for similar conditions as Betnovate (beclomethasone) Cream, Ointment and Scalp Application, including eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. There is very little difference between the two, they both contain potent steroids that are effective at treating severe conditions. So it is usually down to personal preference on which treatment is most suitable.

Mometasone is applied only once daily

Mometasone’s unique formulation means that it only needs to be applied once daily which provides superior convenience to topical betamethasone. Patients also found that mometasone was significantly more effective than betamethasone.

Elocon vs Mometasone

Mometasone is the active ingredient found in Mometasone. Now that Organon’s patent on Elocon Cream & Ointment has expired it is possible for any regulated drug company to produce this medication. There may be minor differences in the inactive ingredients though these are not clinically significant.

The choice of the branded version or generic is down to personal preference and typically the generic version costs less. Though the generic version enables more choice when there are shortages in a patient’s preferred version of the treatment.

Mometasone alternatives

Mometasone is an effective treatment against the symptoms of eczema and other skin conditions, but there are a number of alternative eczema treatments available.

Currently, there is a shortage of many of the most commonly used topical steroid preparations including eumovate and betnovate. Mometasone has the same potency as betnovate and as it only needs to be applied once daily it offers an excellent alternative during the period of stock shortages.

Prescription-only eczema treatments are available via an online consultation. These include:

• Betamethasone Cream & Ointment
• Eumovate Cream & Ointment
• Fucibet Cream
• Fucidin Cream
• Hydrocortisone Cream & Ointment

Effective non-prescription eczema treatments include:

• Adex Gel
• Aveeno Cream
• Dermol Cream
• Doublebase Gel
• Eurax Cream

If your eczema is affecting the scalp, effective scalp treatments for eczema include:

• Betacap Solution
• Betnovate Scalp Application
• Elocon Scalp Lotion

While not specifically used to treat eczema or psoriasis, the following products can be used to alleviate the symptoms of these skin conditions:

• Moisturisers and emollients
• Cotton gloves (to keep from scratching)
• Antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine or Piriton (to ease the itching)

As Mometasone Cream and Ointment are designed to heal inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, it can also be used for inflammation caused by insect bites.

Sources

• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8168/pil
• NICE, 2021, Eczema - atopic - management
• BNF/NICE, 2017, Corticosteroids, general use,
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

How do I use Mometasone Cream & Ointment?

Both mometasone Cream and mometasone Ointment are applied in much the same way.

Wash your hands, and apply mometasone thinly and carefully to the affected area(s). This should be done once daily.

If you have been using airtight dressings on inflamed skin, clean the affected area before using the cream, and apply a new dressing. Remember to wash your hands after each application of mometasone (unless your hands are the affected area).
When using mometasone , please note the following:

It is advised not to use mometasone for more than 10 days (talk to your GP or pharmacist if you do not notice improved symptoms after 7 days of regular treatment) mometasone should not be used on the face or any broken or infected skin

If you are using other topical treatments or medicines alongside mometasone (such as topical steroid treatments), you are advised to wait at least 30 minutes between applications — this will prevent any medicine from becoming diluted.

Mometasone ingredients

The active ingredient contained in Mometasoneis mometasone 0.1% (as furoate).

Mometasone Cream also contains the following inactive ingredients: Hexylene glycol, Phosphoric acid, Hydrogenated soybean lecithin, Titanium dioxide, Aluminium starch octenylsuccinate, White wax, White soft paraffin, Purified water

Mometasone Ointment also contains the following inactive ingredients: Hexylene glycol, Phosphoric acid, Propylene glycol stearate, White beeswax, White soft , paraffin, Purified water.

Mometasone side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when using Mometasone, but they may be experienced by some users.

The most common side effect of Mometasone is an itching or burning sensation in the area of application. Less common side effects can include your skin becoming thinner — usually after prolonged use — and subtle changes to skin pigmentation.
All other reported side effects are considered to be very rare (less than 1 in 10,000 people will experience them). You can read the full list of side effects in the Patient Information Leaflet below.

If you are concerned about any side effects while using Mometasone, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Mometasone warnings

Mometasone Cream and Ointment should be applied thinly and evenly to the skin as directed. It should not be applied to broken skin or areas where a skin infection is present, nor should it be used on the face unless instructed by your pharmacist.

This medicine is unsuitable for you if you are allergic to any of Mometasone's ingredients.
Using Mometasone Cream or Ointment can cause the following conditions to worsen:

• Acne
• Perioral dermatitis (a rash around the mouth)
• Viral infections (e.g. cold sores, herpes, chicken pox)
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections (e.g. thrush, athlete’s foot)
• Rosacea (flushing of the skin around the nose).

Do not use this medicine for inflamed skin around the genitals or anus unless specifically advised to do so.

Consult your GP before using Betnovate Cream or Ointment if you:

• Have a history of allergic reactions to steroid medicines
• Are applying Betnovate under an airtight dressing
• Have a large area of affected skin
• Are using Betnovate on the face, especially near the eyes
• Are applying Betnovate to broken skin or skin folds
• Are using Betnovate on a chronic leg ulcer
• Are pregnant or may become pregnant

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Mometasone and other medications

Speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking Betnovate if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, especially if you are taking ritonavir and/or itraconazole medications.