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Nasonex vs. Rhinocort

Are Nasonex and Rhinocort the Same Thing?

Nasonex (mometasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray and Rhinocort Aqua (budesonide) Nasal Spray are steroids used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

Nasonex Nasal Spray is also used to treat nasal polyps in adults.

Side effects of Nasonex and Rhinocort Aqua that are similar include sore throat, cough, nose/throat dryness or irritation, sores or white patches inside or around your nose, and nosebleeds.

Side effects of Nasonex that are different from Rhinocort Aqua include headache, stuffy nose, muscle or joint pain, nausea, or blood-tinged mucus/phlegm.

Side effects of Rhinocort Aqua that are different from Nasonex include sneezing, unpleasant taste/smell, or pain, swelling, burning, itching, or irritation around your nose.

Both Nasonex and Rhinocort Aqua may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medicines, antidepressants, or antiviral medicines to treat HIV/AIDS.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Nasonex?

Common side effects of Nasonex include:

  • headache,
  • stuffy nose,
  • sore throat,
  • cough,
  • muscle or joint pain,
  • nausea,
  • nose/throat dryness or irritation,
  • blood-tinged mucus/phlegm,
  • sores or white patches inside or around your nose, and
  • nosebleeds.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Nasonex Nasal Spray including pain or sores in your nose, white patches in your nose or mouth, or painful swallowing/trouble swallowing.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Rhinocort?

Common side effects of Rhinocort include:

  • nose/throat dryness or irritation,
  • sore throat,
  • cough,
  • sneezing,
  • nosebleeds,
  • unpleasant taste/smell,
  • sores or white patches inside or around your nose, or
  • pain, swelling, burning, itching, or irritation around your nose.

Tell your doctor if you have rare but serious side effects of Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray including:

  • loss of taste or smell, or
  • pain or sores in your nose.

What Is Nasonex?

Nasonex (mometasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray is a steroid used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. Nasonex Nasal Spray is also used to treat nasal polyps in adults.

What Is Rhinocort?

Rhinocort Aqua (budesonide) nasal spray is a steroid used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray is also used to keep nasal polyps from returning after surgical removal.

What Drugs Interact With Nasonex?

This medication may interact with other drugs.

What Drugs Interact With Rhinocort?

Rhinocort Aqua may interact with HIV /AIDS medicine, antibiotics, antifungals, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Rhinocort Aqua. Rarely, infants born to mothers using corticosteroids (including budesonide) may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. It is unknown if Rhinocort Aqua passes into breast milk. This medication might also pass into breast milk in very small amounts that are unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Nasonex Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Nasonex for adults and children 12 years and older for treatment or prevention of the nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic and perennial allergic rhinitis, or nasal congestion associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis is 2 sprays in each nostril once daily (total daily dose of 200 mcg). The pediatric dose for children 2-11 years is one spray in each nostril once daily (100 mcg). To treat nasal polyps in adults, the dose is 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily (400 mcg). Two sprays in each nostril once daily (200 mcg) is effective in some patients.

How Should Rhinocort Be Taken?

In adults and in children older than 6 years, the recommended starting dose of Rhinocort Aqua is 2-4 sprays in each nostril in the morning and in the evening, or 4 sprays in each nostril only in the morning.

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