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Nasonex vs. Beconase AQ

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

Key takeaways

Nasonex (mometasone) and Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) are both corticosteroid nasal sprays used to treat allergy symptoms, but they have some differences. Nasonex is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription, while Beconase AQ is only available by prescription. Nasonex can be used by children as young as 2 years old for OTC use, whereas Beconase AQ is approved for children 6 years and older. Nasonex is also used to treat nasal polyps, while Beconase AQ is used to prevent nasal polyps from regrowing after surgery. Both medications can cause side effects like nosebleeds, headaches, and sore throat. Additionally, both medications can take 1 to 2 weeks to show full effects.

mometasone nasal spray

 

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Beconase AQ

(beclomethasone)

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Summary for Nasonex

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 Nasonex

  • 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 Nasonex

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 Nasonex

  • 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 Nasonex

  • 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 Beconase AQ

Prescription only

Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) is a corticosteroid medication used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. In addition, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) can be used to prevent nasal polyps from regrowing after surgical removal.

Indications for Beconase AQ

  • Seasonal allergies
  • Year-round allergies
  • Non-allergic stuffy nose
  • Prevention of nasal polyp recurrence after surgery

Pros and Cons for Beconase AQ

Pros

  • Symptomatic relief can occur as soon as 3 days
  • Can be used by children as young as 6 years old
  • Since it's used directly where the inflammation is happening, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) has fewer side effects compared to oral steroids
  • Doesn't make you drowsy or dizzy, compared to allergy relief pills
  • Can be used to treat long-term build-up of mucus in the throat that comes from the nose

Cons

  • Must be used daily to work instead of on an as-needed basis
  • Doesn't have a dose counter to help you keep track of the number of sprays left in the bottle
  • Unlike allergy relief pills, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) only helps to treat nasal symptoms
  • Can cause wounds to heal slower, so may not be a good choice if you've recently had surgery on your nose. If you've had recent nose surgery, discuss with your surgeon if this medication is right for you.
  • Only available as an expensive brand name product
  • If Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) is not used for 7 days, you must prime it again

Common Side Effects for Beconase AQ

  • Nasal irritation (24%)
  • Sneezing attacks (4%)

Warnings for Beconase AQ

  • CHANGES IN THE NASAL SEPTUM
  • DECREASED WOUND HEALING
  • VISION CHANGES

Prices with our coupons for Nasonex vs. Beconase AQ

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Mometasone1 nasal spray / 17g of 50mcg
$39.19$136.12
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Price Card Drug Icon
Beconase AQ1 nasal spray / 25g of 42mcg/spray
$287.87$412.63
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