How It Works
Eczema and psoriasis can trigger skin reactions that cause your immune system to release chemicals that dilate the blood vessels, leading to redness, and sensitize nerve endings, causing itching.
Mometasone cream addresses these symptoms:
- Inflammation: Mometasone cream inhibits the production of cytokines, which are messenger proteins that drive inflammation. Mometasone also narrows blood vessels in the dermis layer of the skin to reduce redness and swelling.
- Itching: Mometasone cream prevents immune cells from releasing histamine, which can trigger the urge to itch.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Common Brands | Elocon (largely discontinued) |
| Drug Class | Topical corticosteroid (medium-to-high potency) |
| Generic Status | Generic is available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Dosing
With potent steroid medications like mometasone, coverage and consistency are more crucial to effective treatment than the amount of topical cream you use.
- Administration: Per standard guidelines, patients are advised to cover the affected skin areas with a thin layer of the cream and gently massage the cream until it disappears.
- Frequency: Providers generally recommend applying mometasone once daily. Applying mometasone more than once daily does not necessarily speed up recovery, but can increase the patient’s risk of side effects.
- Fingertip unit: Providers often use the fingertip unit (FTU) as a standard measurement for mosematone dosage. An FTU refers to enough cream squeezed from the tube to cover the area between the tip of your index finger and that finger’s first joint.
- Duration: It is generally recommended to use mometasone cream for as little time as necessary. Standard guidelines advise patients to contact their provider if symptoms have not improved after 2 weeks of daily use.
Note: The dosing information below is for educational purposes only. Your prescribing physician will determine your specific dose based on your individual health needs. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for exact dosing.
Uses
FDA-Approved Uses
Mometasone cream is FDA-approved to relieve the inflammation and itching associated with atopic dermatitis, or eczema. The drug is also approved to reduce plaque redness and thickness in people with psoriasis, and to calm contact dermatitis symptoms.
Off-Label Uses
You may see mometasone cream prescribed for uses that are not “FDA-approved.” This is a very common and legal practice called “off-label” prescribing, where a doctor uses their clinical judgment to prescribe a drug for a different (but well-researched) purpose.
Common off-label uses for mometasone cream found in clinical practice and research include:
- Lichen planus: Mometasone cream can help relieve this inflammatory condition, which causes itchy, purple, flat-topped bumps on the skin.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: Providers may prescribe mometasone cream off-label to treat resistant patches on the chest and back.
- Autoimmune diseases: Your provider may recommend mometasone cream to relieve localized skin lesions associated with autoimmune diseases such as discoid lupus.
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Side Effects
Mometasone is a potent topical medication that interacts with the immune system, so this cream can cause both localized and systemic side effects.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects from using mometasone cream include:
- Temporary burning or stinging after application
- Brief itching as the medication takes effect
- Inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis)
- Atrophy, or thinning, of the skin
- Hypopigmentation, or lightening of the skin color
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to look for if they do occur. Serious side effects from using mometasone cream can include:
- Adrenal suppression: If mometasone is used on large areas for a prolonged period, your body can absorb the steroid and signal your adrenal glands to stop producing cortisol. This can lead to side effects like extreme fatigue, nausea, and low blood pressure.
- Cushing’s syndrome: Medical research links mometasone to Cushing’s syndrome. This condition can lead to symptoms like “moon face,” a fatty hump between the shoulders, and rapid weight gain in the midsection.
- Vision problems: If the cream repeatedly comes into contact with the eyes, it can increase your risk of developing glaucoma or cataracts.
- Topical steroid withdrawal: People who stop using mometasone may notice their skin becoming red or intensely hot. This is a rebound effect of quitting the medication abruptly after long-term use.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any concerning or prolonged symptoms.
Pharmacist Tips
Skip the Moisturizer
Per standard guidelines, patients are advised to apply mometasone cream, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and then apply daily moisturizer. This helps ensure your skin properly absorbs the medication.
Wash Your Hands
Except for those treating a rash on their hands, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your hands after application to prevent the steroid from being transferred to sensitive areas like the eyes and mouth. Those treating a hand rash are advised to exercise extra caution.
Avoid Occlusion
Wrapping the treated area in a bandage, plastic wrap, or tight dressing is not recommended unless instructed by your doctor. Occlusion, or covering these areas, can significantly increase absorption rates and raise your risk of side effects.
Watch Sensitive Areas
It is advised to avoid applying the cream to the face, armpits, and groin unless your provider instructs you otherwise. These areas are more prone to permanent skin thinning and stretch marks.
Drug Interactions
Unlike most topical medications, mometasone interacts with your body on a systemic level. Known interactions with mometasone cream include:
- Other corticosteroids: Using mometasone cream alongside other corticosteroid medications like oral prednisone can elevate your total “steroid load” and increase your risk of adrenal suppression.
- Antifungals and antivirals: Applying mometasone to a fungal or viral skin infection, such as a cold sore or ringworm, can worsen the infection by suppressing the local immune response.
Always give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements to check for potential interactions.
FAQs
What is the difference between mometasone cream, ointment, and lotion?
The ointment is greasy and best suited to dry or flaky skin. The lotion is thinner and more effective for hairy areas like the scalp. The cream can be rubbed into the skin without greasy residue for other areas of the body. All three medications share the same active ingredient and mechanisms.
Can I use mometasone cream to treat a sunburn or poison ivy?
Per standard guidelines, patients are advised to wait 15 to 30 minutes after applying mometasone cream before using moisturizer. This helps the skin absorb the medication.
Why is my rash getting worse after applying this cream?
Your rash getting worse after applying mometasone cream may indicate an allergic reaction to one of the topical’s ingredients, or an existing skin infection. If the pain worsens, the area becomes redder, or starts oozing pus, contact your provider immediately.
Does this cream treat fungal infections like ringworm or jock itch?
No, mometasone does not treat fungal infections like ringworm or jock itch. This medication is not an antifungal. Using mometasone to treat these conditions can make the infection worse by suppressing your body’s localized immune response.
Can I use mometasone to help fade dark spots or acne scars?
No, it is not advised to use mometasone to help fade dark spots or acne scars. Mometasone is not a bleaching agent and standard guidelines caution against using the cream long-term for cosmetic purposes. Your provider can recommend other medications for dark spots and acne scars.
Does the steroid in this cream absorb into my bloodstream?
Your bloodstream may absorb a small amount of mometasone cream. It should not cause systemic issues as long as you follow the application and dosing guidelines.
Can I stop using mometasone cream when the itching stops?
Yes, your doctor may allow you to stop using mometasone cream once the itching has stopped. It is usually recommended to stop using the lotion once the flare-up has been alleviated. However, if you have used mometasone for consecutive weeks, your provider may recommend tapering off the drug to prevent rebound flare-ups.
Can I safely use this medication while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Providers generally advise against using mometasone while pregnant or breastfeeding. Your OB/GYN or provider can make their recommendation based on your symptoms and medical history.
Does mometasone cream expire?
Yes, mometasone cream expires. The active ingredient can break down over time, causing the cream base to separate. Per guidelines, patients are advised not to use the cream past the expiration or “discard after” date printed on the label or medication container.
Comparable Medications
Mometasone Cream, Mometasone Ointment, Hydrocortisone 1%, Desonide, Clobetasol, or Pimecrolimus?
Mometasone cream is a topical steroid used to control flare-ups from eczema, psoriasis, and allergic skin reactions. Mometasone cream alternatives include:
Mometasone Ointment
From $29.99
Mometasone ointment is more occlusive, meaning it traps more moisture in the skin and is more potent than the cream. Providers typically recommend the cream for daytime use because it is less greasy and not as messy to apply.
Hydrocortisone 1%
Hydrocortisone 1% is a low-potency steroid available over the counter to treat minor itches and flare-ups. Mometasone is stronger and is only available as a prescription medication. Doctors usually prescribe mometasone for chronic conditions like moderate-to-severe eczema that don't respond to milder medications.
Desonide Cream
From $34.99
Sold under the brand name Desonate, desonide is a steroid with mild-to-medium potency. It is often used for the face because it is gentler than mometasone, which is often reserved for the rest of the body.
Clobetasol Cream
From $23.99
Clobetasol, available under the brand name Temovate, is a steroid with super-high potency typically reserved for thick, resistant psoriasis on the elbows, knees, or scalp. Since mometasone is not as potent but still effective against stubborn inflammation, it is often used for moderate flare-ups that don't respond to milder medication, but also don't warrant the heavy-duty mechanisms of clobetasol.
Pimecrolimus Cream
From $169.99
Pimecrolimus, or Eidel, is a calcineurin inhibitor primarily used to treat mild eczema. It does not contain any steroids so doctors may recommend it over mometasone cream for people who need to treat flare-ups on more sensitive parts of the body, such as the face, armpits, or groin.
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Important: Information on this page is for educational purposes only. Prescribing decisions are made by independent, licensed providers. TelyRx operates technology-enabled pharmacies and a telehealth platform that connects patients with board-certified licensed providers. Prescriptions, when provider-approved and issued, are filled and shipped by TelyRx-affiliated pharmacies. We do not employ physicians or make prescribing decisions. Learn more about our editorial standards here.