Mometasone Furoate Monohydrate

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Epistaxis, nasal ulceration, Candida albicans infection, nasal septal perforation, impaired wound healing. Monitor patients periodically for signs of adverse effects on the nasal mucosa. Avoid use in patients with recent nasal ulcers, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma. ( 5.1 ) Glaucoma and cataracts. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray long term. ( 5.2 ) Potential worsening of existing tuberculosis; fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex. More serious or even fatal course of chickenpox or measles in susceptible patients. Use caution in patients with the above because of the potential for worsening of these infections. ( 5.4 ) Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression with higher than recommended dosages or at the regular dosage in susceptible individuals. If such changes occur, discontinue mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray slowly. ( 5.5 ) Potential reduction in growth velocity in children. Monitor growth routinely in pediatric patients receiving mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray. ( 5.6 , 8.4 )

5.1 Local Nasal Adverse Reactions Epistaxis Epistaxis was observed more frequently in patients with allergic rhinitis and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who received mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray than those who received placebo [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. Candida Infection Localized infections of the nose and pharynx with Candida albicans has occurred from nasal administration of mometasone furoate. When such an infection develops, use of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray should be discontinued and appropriate local or systemic therapy instituted, if needed. Nasal Septum Perforation Instances of nasal septum perforation occurred in patients following the nasal application of corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray. As with any long-term topical treatment of the nasal cavity, patients using mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray over several months or longer should be examined periodically for possible changes in the nasal mucosa. Impaired Wound Healing Because of the inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on wound healing, patients who have experienced recent nasal septum ulcers, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma should not use a nasal corticosteroid until healing has occurred.

5.2 Glaucoma and Cataracts Glaucoma and cataracts may be reported with systemic and topical (including nasal, inhaled and ophthalmic) corticosteroid use. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray long term [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] .

5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including instances of wheezing may occur after the nasal administration of mometasone furoate monohydrate. Discontinue mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray if such reactions occur [see Contraindications (4) ] .

5.4 Immunosuppression and Risk of Infections Persons who are on drugs which suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chickenpox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in nonimmune children or adults on corticosteroids. In such children or adults who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure. How the dose, route, and duration of corticosteroid administration affect the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known. The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known. If exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated. If exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated. (See the respective Prescribing Information for VZIG and IG.) If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. Corticosteroids should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active or quiescent tuberculous infection of the respiratory tract, or in untreated fungal, bacterial, systemic viral infections, or ocular herpes simplex because of the potential for worsening of these infections.

5.5 Hypercorticism and Adrenal Suppression Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur when nasal corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray, are used at higher-than-recommended dosages [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] or in patients at risk for such effects. If such changes occur, the dosage of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray should be discontinued slowly, consistent with accepted procedures for discontinuing oral corticosteroid therapy.

5.6 Effect on Growth Corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray, may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients. Routinely, monitor the growth of pediatric patients receiving mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray. To minimize the systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray, titrate each patient’s dose to the lowest dosage that effectively controls his/her symptoms [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] .

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Mometasone is minimally absorbed systemically following nasal use, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Available data from observational studies of mometasone use in pregnant women are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies with pregnant mice, rats, or rabbits (subcutaneous, subcutaneous/topical dermal/oral, and topical dermal/oral, respectively), mometasone furoate caused increased fetal malformations and decreased fetal survival and growth following administration of doses that produced exposures approximately 1/3 to 8 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a mcg/m 2 or AUC basis [see Data] . However, experience with oral corticosteroids suggests that rodents are more prone to teratogenic effects from corticosteroid exposure than humans. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an embryofetal development study with pregnant mice dosed throughout the period of organogenesis, mometasone furoate produced cleft palate at a dose less than the maximum recommended daily intranasal dose (MRDID) (on a mcg/m 2 basis with maternal subcutaneous doses of 60 mcg/kg and above) and decreased fetal survival at approximately 2 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal subcutaneous dose of 180 mcg/kg). No toxicity was observed with a dose that produced an exposure less than the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with maternal topical dermal doses of 20 mcg/kg and above). In an embryofetal development study with pregnant rats dosed throughout the period of organogenesis, mometasone furoate produced fetal umbilical hernia at exposures approximately 10 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with maternal topical dermal doses of 600 mcg/kg and above) and delays in fetal ossification at a dose approximately 6 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with maternal topical dermal doses of 300 mcg/kg and above). In another reproductive toxicity study, pregnant rats were dosed with mometasone furoate throughout pregnancy or late in gestation. Treated animals had prolonged and difficult labor, fewer live births, lower birth weight, and reduced early pup survival at a dose less than the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal subcutaneous dose of 15 mcg/kg). There were no findings at a dose less than the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal subcutaneous dose of 7.5 mcg/kg). Embryofetal development studies were conducted with pregnant rabbits dosed with mometasone furoate by either the topical dermal route or oral route throughout the period of organogenesis. In the study using the topical dermal route, mometasone furoate caused multiple malformations in fetuses (e.g., flexed front paws, gallbladder agenesis, umbilical hernia, hydrocephaly) at doses approximately 6 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with maternal topical dermal doses of 150 mcg/kg and above). In the study using the oral route, mometasone furoate caused increased fetal resorptions and cleft palate and/or head malformations (hydrocephaly and domed head) at a dose approximately 30 times of the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 700 mcg/kg). At approximately 110 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 2800 mcg/kg), most litters were aborted or resorbed. No effects were observed at a dose approximately 6 times the MRDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis with a maternal oral dose of 140 mcg/kg).

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no available data on the presence of mometasone furoate monohydrate in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. However, mometasone is minimally absorbed systemically by the mother following nasal use, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the infant to mometasone. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray for prophylaxis of the nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older have been established [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Use of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray for this indication is supported by evidence from controlled trials in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. The safety and effectiveness of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. Effectiveness was not demonstrated in one 4-month trial conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate safety; efficacy parameters were collected as secondary endpoints. A total of 127 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps were randomized to placebo or mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray 100 mcg once or twice daily (patients 6 to 11 years of age) or 200 mcg once or twice daily (patients 12 to 17 years of age). The results of this trial did not support the efficacy of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in pediatric patients. The adverse reactions reported in this trial were similar to the adverse reactions reported in patients 18 years of age and older with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Effect on Growth Controlled clinical studies have shown nasal corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth velocity in pediatric patients. This effect has been observed in the absence of laboratory evidence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, suggesting that growth velocity is a more sensitive indicator of systemic corticosteroid exposure in pediatric patients than some commonly used tests of HPA axis function. The long-term effects of this reduction in growth velocity associated with nasal corticosteroids, including the impact on final adult height, are unknown. The potential for “catch up” growth following discontinuation of treatment with nasal corticosteroids has not been adequately studied. The growth of pediatric patients receiving nasal corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray, should be monitored routinely (e.g., via stadiometry). The potential growth effects of prolonged treatment should be weighed against clinical benefits obtained and the availability of safe and effective noncorticosteroid treatment alternatives. To minimize the systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids, including mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray, each patient should be titrated to his/her lowest effective dose. A clinical study to assess the effect of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (100 mcg total daily dose) on growth velocity has been conducted in pediatric patients 3 to 9 years of age with allergic rhinitis. No statistically significant effect on growth velocity was observed for mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray compared to placebo following one year of treatment. No evidence of clinically relevant HPA axis suppression was observed following a 30-minute cosyntropin infusion. The potential of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray to cause growth suppression in susceptible patients or when given at higher doses cannot be ruled out.

8.5 Geriatric Use A total of 280 patients above 64 years of age with allergic rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (age range 64 to 86 years) have been treated with mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray for up to 3 or 4 months, respectively. No observed differences in safety and/or effectiveness in geriatric patients compared to younger adult patients.

8.6 Hepatic Impairment Concentrations of mometasone furoate appear to increase with severity of hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

12.1 Mechanism of Action Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray is a corticosteroid demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory properties. The precise mechanism of corticosteroid action on allergic rhinitis is not known. Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of effects on multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and cytokines) involved in inflammation. In two clinical studies utilizing nasal antigen challenge, mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray decreased some markers of the early- and late-phase allergic response. These observations included decreases (vs. placebo) in histamine and eosinophil cationic protein levels, and reductions (vs. baseline) in eosinophils, neutrophils, and epithelial cell adhesion proteins. The clinical significance of these findings is not known. The effect of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray on nasal mucosa following 12 months of treatment was examined in 46 patients with allergic rhinitis. There was no evidence of atrophy and there was a marked reduction in intraepithelial eosinophilia and inflammatory cell infiltration (e.g., eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells).

12.2 Pharmacodynamics Adrenal Function in Adults: Four clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in humans to assess the effect of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at various doses on adrenal function. In one study, daily doses of 200 and 400 mcg of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray and 10 mg of prednisone were compared to placebo in 64 patients (22 to 44 years of age) with allergic rhinitis. Adrenal function before and after 36 consecutive days of treatment was assessed by measuring plasma cortisol levels following a 6-hour Cortrosyn (ACTH) infusion and by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at both the 200 and 400 mcg dose, was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. A statistically significant decrease in the mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels was detected in the prednisone treatment group compared to placebo. A second study assessed adrenal response to mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (400 and 1600 mcg/day), prednisone (10 mg/day), and placebo, administered for 29 days in 48 male volunteers (21 to 40 years of age). The 24-hour plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC 0-24 ), during and after an 8-hour Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were determined at baseline and after 29 days of treatment. No statistically significant differences in adrenal function were observed with mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray compared to placebo. A third study evaluated single, rising doses of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (1000, 2000, and 4000 mcg/day), orally administered mometasone furoate (2000, 4000, and 8000 mcg/day), orally administered dexamethasone (200, 400, and 800 mcg/day), and placebo (administered at the end of each series of doses) in 24 male volunteers (22 to 39 years of age). Dose administrations were separated by at least 72 hours. Determination of serial plasma cortisol levels at 8 AM and for the 24-hour period following each treatment were used to calculate the plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC 0-24 ). In addition, 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were collected prior to initial treatment administration and during the period immediately following each dose. No statistically significant decreases in the plasma cortisol AUC, 8 AM cortisol levels, or 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were observed in volunteers treated with either mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray or oral mometasone, as compared with placebo treatment. Conversely, nearly all volunteers treated with the three doses of dexamethasone demonstrated abnormal 8 AM cortisol levels (defined as a cortisol level <10 mcg/dL), reduced 24-hour plasma AUC values, and decreased 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels, as compared to placebo treatment. In a fourth study, adrenal function was assessed in 213 patients (18 to 81 years of age) with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps before and after 4 months of treatment with either mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (200 mcg once or twice daily) or placebo by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at both doses (200 and 400 mcg/day), was not associated with statistically significant decreases in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. Three clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in pediatric patients to assess the effect of mometasone furoate nasal spray on the adrenal function at daily doses of 50, 100, and 200 mcg vs. placebo. In one study, adrenal function before and after 7 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in 48 pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 6 to 11 years) by measuring morning plasma cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, at all three doses, was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. In the second study, adrenal function before and after 14 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in 48 pediatric patients (ages 3 to 5 years) with allergic rhinitis by measuring plasma cortisol levels following a 30-minute Cortrosyn infusion. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg, at all three doses (50, 100, and 200 mcg/day), was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion compared to placebo. All patients had a normal response to Cortrosyn. In the third study, adrenal function before and after up to 42 consecutive days of once-daily treatment was assessed in 52 patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 2 to 5 years), 28 of whom received mometasone furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg per nostril (total daily dose 100 mcg), by measuring morning plasma cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption: Mometasone furoate monohydrate administered as a nasal spray suspension has very low bioavailability (<1%) in plasma using a sensitive assay with a lower quantitation limit (LOQ) of 0.25 pcg/mL. Distribution: The in vitro protein binding for mometasone furoate was reported to be 98% to 99% in concentration range of 5 to 500 ng/mL. Elimination: Following intravenous administration, the effective plasma elimination half-life of mometasone furoate is 5.8 hours. Any absorbed drug is excreted as metabolites mostly via the bile, and to a limited extent, into the urine. Metabolism: Studies have shown that any portion of a mometasone furoate dose which is swallowed and absorbed undergoes extensive metabolism to multiple metabolites. There are no major metabolites detectable in plasma. Upon in vitro incubation, one of the minor metabolites formed is 6ß-hydroxy-mometasone furoate. In human liver microsomes, the formation of the metabolite is regulated by cytochrome P-450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Specific Populations: Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Administration of a single inhaled dose of 400 mcg mometasone furoate to subjects with mild (n=4), moderate (n=4), and severe (n=4) hepatic impairment resulted in only 1 or 2 subjects in each group having detectable peak plasma concentrations of mometasone furoate (ranging from 50 to 105 pcg/mL). The observed peak plasma concentrations appear to increase with severity of hepatic impairment, however, the numbers of detectable levels were few. Patients with Renal Impairment: The effects of renal impairment on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been adequately investigated. Pediatric Patients: Mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been investigated in the pediatric population [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Male and Female Patients: The effects of gender on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been adequately investigated. Racial or Ethnic Groups: The effects of race on mometasone furoate pharmacokinetics have not been adequately investigated. Drug Interaction Studies: Inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 3A4: In a drug interaction study, an inhaled dose of mometasone furoate 400 mcg was given to 24 healthy subjects twice daily for 9 days and ketoconazole 200 mg (as well as placebo) were given twice daily concomitantly on Days 4 to 9. Mometasone furoate plasma concentrations were <150 pcg/mL on Day 3 prior to coadministration of ketoconazole or placebo. Following concomitant administration of ketoconazole, 4 out of 12 subjects in the ketoconazole treatment group (n=12) had peak plasma concentrations of mometasone furoate >200 pcg/mL on Day 9 (211 to 324 pcg/mL).

Adrenal Function in Adults: Four clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in humans to assess the effect of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at various doses on adrenal function. In one study, daily doses of 200 and 400 mcg of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray and 10 mg of prednisone were compared to placebo in 64 patients (22 to 44 years of age) with allergic rhinitis. Adrenal function before and after 36 consecutive days of treatment was assessed by measuring plasma cortisol levels following a 6-hour Cortrosyn (ACTH) infusion and by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at both the 200 and 400 mcg dose, was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. A statistically significant decrease in the mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels was detected in the prednisone treatment group compared to placebo. A second study assessed adrenal response to mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (400 and 1600 mcg/day), prednisone (10 mg/day), and placebo, administered for 29 days in 48 male volunteers (21 to 40 years of age). The 24-hour plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC 0-24 ), during and after an 8-hour Cortrosyn infusion and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were determined at baseline and after 29 days of treatment. No statistically significant differences in adrenal function were observed with mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray compared to placebo. A third study evaluated single, rising doses of mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (1000, 2000, and 4000 mcg/day), orally administered mometasone furoate (2000, 4000, and 8000 mcg/day), orally administered dexamethasone (200, 400, and 800 mcg/day), and placebo (administered at the end of each series of doses) in 24 male volunteers (22 to 39 years of age). Dose administrations were separated by at least 72 hours. Determination of serial plasma cortisol levels at 8 AM and for the 24-hour period following each treatment were used to calculate the plasma cortisol area under the curve (AUC 0-24 ). In addition, 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were collected prior to initial treatment administration and during the period immediately following each dose. No statistically significant decreases in the plasma cortisol AUC, 8 AM cortisol levels, or 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels were observed in volunteers treated with either mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray or oral mometasone, as compared with placebo treatment. Conversely, nearly all volunteers treated with the three doses of dexamethasone demonstrated abnormal 8 AM cortisol levels (defined as a cortisol level <10 mcg/dL), reduced 24-hour plasma AUC values, and decreased 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels, as compared to placebo treatment. In a fourth study, adrenal function was assessed in 213 patients (18 to 81 years of age) with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps before and after 4 months of treatment with either mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray (200 mcg once or twice daily) or placebo by measuring 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray at both doses (200 and 400 mcg/day), was not associated with statistically significant decreases in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. Three clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted in pediatric patients to assess the effect of mometasone furoate nasal spray on the adrenal function at daily doses of 50, 100, and 200 mcg vs. placebo. In one study, adrenal function before and after 7 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in 48 pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 6 to 11 years) by measuring morning plasma cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, at all three doses, was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo. In the second study, adrenal function before and after 14 consecutive days of treatment was assessed in 48 pediatric patients (ages 3 to 5 years) with allergic rhinitis by measuring plasma cortisol levels following a 30-minute Cortrosyn infusion. Mometasone furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg, at all three doses (50, 100, and 200 mcg/day), was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels post-Cortrosyn infusion compared to placebo. All patients had a normal response to Cortrosyn. In the third study, adrenal function before and after up to 42 consecutive days of once-daily treatment was assessed in 52 patients with allergic rhinitis (ages 2 to 5 years), 28 of whom received mometasone furoate nasal spray, 50 mcg per nostril (total daily dose 100 mcg), by measuring morning plasma cortisol and 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels. Mometasone furoate nasal spray was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in mean plasma cortisol levels or a statistically significant decrease in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol levels compared to placebo.