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Mometasone vs. Hydrocortisone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

mometasone nasal spray

 

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topical hydrocortisone

 

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Summary for Mometasone

Prescription or over-the-counter

Mometasone nasal spray is used to prevent the nose symptoms of seasonal allergies, as well as to treat nose and sinus inflammation in adults with nasal polyps. Some side effects this medication can cause include headache and bloody nose. Mometasone nasal spray is available both with a prescription and over the counter (OTC).

Indications for Mometasone

  • Temporary relief of allergy symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose) (OTC only)
  • Prevention of seasonal allergies (prescription only)
  • Treatment of long-term nose and sinus inflammation with nasal polyps (prescription only)

Pros and Cons for Mometasone

Pros

  • Works well to prevent and treat allergy symptoms
  • Available OTC
  • Can be used to help control allergy symptoms in children 2 years or older (OTC only)
  • Available as a lower-cost generic with a prescription

Cons

  • Can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to see the full effects
  • Doesn't have a counter on the spray bottle, so it can be hard to remember how many sprays are left
  • Can cause side effects like headache and nose bleeds in some people
  • Unknown if safe while pregnant or breastfeeding

Common Side Effects for Mometasone

  • Headache (26%)
  • Viral infection (14%)
  • Sore throat (12%)
  • Bloody nose or mucus (11%)
  • Coughing (7%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (i.e., common cold; 6%)
  • Period cramps (5%)
  • Muscle pain (5%)
  • Congestion, pressure near the nose or forehead, and other symptoms of sinus infection (5%)

Warnings for Mometasone

  • Nose injury and slowed wound healing
  • Fungal infection in the nose and throat
  • Vision changes
  • Risk of infection
  • Hormone changes
  • Poor growth in children

Summary for Hydrocortisone

Prescription or over-the-counter

Topical hydrocortisone is a steroid medication used to treat different skin conditions, such as eczema. It's available in many different formulations, including cream, ointment, lotion, and solution. Some strengths are found over the counter (e.g., hydrocortisone 1%), while you need a prescription for others (e.g., hydrocortisone 2.5%). In general, most people experience few to no side effects while using topical hydrocortisone as directed. Rarely, topical hydrocortisone might cause topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Watch out for skin rashes and irritations that get worse after stopping this medication.

Indications for Hydrocortisone

Short-term relief of skin irritations (e.g., itching) due to:

  • Skin inflammation
  • Skin rashes
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Insect bites
  • Poison ivy or oak
  • Skin allergies
  • Dry scalp
  • Genital or rectal irritation

Pros and Cons for Hydrocortisone

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
  • Available over the counter
  • Many formulations to choose from, such as ointment, cream, and solution

Cons

  • Short-term use only, otherwise it might cause skin thinning and high blood sugar
  • Applied multiple times a day
  • Might affect your body's ability to fight off infections

Common Side Effects for Hydrocortisone

  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Skin irritation
  • Dry skin
  • Inflamed hair follicles

Warnings for Hydrocortisone

  • Hormone problems and withdrawal
  • High blood sugar
  • New or worsened skin infection
  • Skin problems

Prices with our coupons for Mometasone vs. Hydrocortisone

Price Card Drug Icon
Mometasone1 nasal spray / 17g of 50mcg
$39.19$136.12
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Price Card Drug Icon
Hydrocortisone1 tube / 30g of 2.5%
$13.25$13.99
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