Nasonex (Mometasone Nasal Spray) in Spain: Uses
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Nasonex is a mometasone nasal spray for hay fever and nasal polyps. How long it takes, why it is not a decongestant and why Spain requires a prescription.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Nasonex is a mometasone nasal spray: a steroid spray that calms swelling inside the nose. It treats hay fever, year-round allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. It is not a quick decongestant. It takes a few days of regular use to work well. In Spain every mometasone nasal spray, Nasonex included, needs a prescription.
- Nasonex (mometasone) is a steroid nasal spray for allergic rhinitis and, in adults, nasal polyps.
- Some people feel better within a day, but the full effect takes one to two weeks of regular use.
- It needs a prescription in Spain, even though the UK and US sell some packs over the counter.
- It does not cause the rebound blocked nose that decongestant sprays cause with overuse.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
What is Nasonex used for?
- Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis): sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and an itchy nose during pollen season.
- Year-round allergic rhinitis, for example from dust mites or pets.
- Nasal polyps in adults: soft growths that block the nose and dull the sense of smell.
The Spanish leaflet allows it for allergic rhinitis from age 3. Nasal polyps are treated in adults only. A doctor may also use a steroid spray for some long-lasting sinus problems.
How long does Nasonex take to work?
Some people notice a change within about 12 hours. But a steroid spray builds up slowly. Most people need one to two weeks of regular daily use to get the full benefit. Polyps can take longer. Using it only on bad days works much less well. If you get hay fever every spring, a doctor may suggest starting a couple of weeks before the season.
Is Nasonex a decongestant?
No. This is the most common mix-up. Decongestant sprays such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline shrink the blood vessels in the nose. They clear it within minutes. But used for more than a few days, they can cause a rebound blocked nose that is worse than before. Doctors call this rhinitis medicamentosa. The UK medicines regulator has warned about this.
Nasonex works on the swelling caused by allergy. It is slower, but it is meant for regular use, and it does not cause that rebound effect. A doctor may even use a steroid spray to help someone stop a decongestant they have come to rely on.
Nasonex, Clarinaze, Avamys: which name is which?
| Name | What it contains | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nasonex | Mometasone nasal spray | Spain (prescription), UK |
| Clarinaze | Mometasone nasal spray | UK (pharmacy, adults) |
| Nasonex 24HR Allergy | Mometasone nasal spray | US (over the counter) |
| Mometasona generics (Momcort and others) | Mometasone nasal spray | Spain (prescription) |
| Avamys | Fluticasone furoate, a related steroid spray | Spain (prescription), UK |
| Flonase | Fluticasone, a related steroid spray | US (over the counter) |
If you used Nasonex or Clarinaze in the UK, or Nasonex 24HR in the US, the Spanish Nasonex has the same active ingredient. Fluticasone sprays are a related option, not the same medicine.
Do you need a prescription for Nasonex in Spain?
Yes. On the AEMPS CIMA database, every mometasone nasal spray sold in Spain is listed as medicamento sujeto a prescripción médica. That includes Nasonex and its generics. A pharmacy cannot hand it over without a Spanish prescription, even if you show your UK or US bottle. A private electronic prescription is valid.
Without a prescription, a pharmacist can suggest an antihistamine tablet, salt water sprays, or a short course of a decongestant spray. Our cetirizine guide covers one common antihistamine.
Hay fever, a blocked nose that will not clear, or polyps you were treating at home?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He goes through your symptoms and tells you whether a steroid spray is the right step.
What Nasonex does not treat
- A cold. Most colds clear up on their own in a week or so.
- A bacterial sinus infection with high fever. A doctor needs to assess it.
- A nose blocked by an injury or a bent septum.
- Itchy, watery eyes on their own. These may need eye drops or a tablet.
Our seasonal allergies page and sinus infection page describe what a doctor checks.
How to use it properly
- Blow your nose gently first. Shake the bottle.
- Tilt your head a little forward. Aim the nozzle towards the outer side of the nostril, away from the middle wall.
- Breathe in gently as you spray. Do not sniff hard.
- Use it as prescribed, every day, even when you feel well.
- Do not use it on an untreated nose infection, or after recent nose surgery or injury until healed.
Side effects and when to see a doctor
Common side effects are nosebleeds, a dry or sore nose or throat, sneezing and headache. Nosebleeds are often small streaks of blood. Aiming away from the middle of the nose helps. Rarely, long use affects the eyes, so mention blurred vision. In children on long courses, the doctor checks growth. See a doctor if:
- Nosebleeds are frequent or heavy.
- Your vision becomes blurred or changes.
- You have a sore or white patches in the nose or throat.
- You see no benefit after two weeks of regular use.
- You take HIV medicines such as ritonavir or cobicistat, or other steroids.
Call 112 if your face, lips, tongue or throat swell, or you find it hard to breathe or swallow.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Ask about your symptoms, triggers, season and what you have tried.
- Tell apart allergy, a cold, sinusitis and overuse of a decongestant spray.
- Explain whether a steroid spray, an antihistamine or something else is the right choice.
- Tell you if you need an allergy test or an ear, nose and throat review in person.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nasonex the same as Clarinaze?
Yes, both are mometasone nasal sprays. Clarinaze is a UK brand sold in pharmacies for adults. In Spain the product is Nasonex or a mometasone generic.
Can I buy Nasonex without a prescription in Spain?
No. Every mometasone nasal spray in Spain needs a prescription. A pharmacist can suggest antihistamines or salt water sprays without one.
How long does Nasonex take to work?
Some people feel a change within a day. The full effect takes one to two weeks of regular daily use. Polyps can take longer.
Is Nasonex a decongestant?
No. It is a steroid spray that calms allergic swelling. Decongestant sprays work faster but cause a rebound blocked nose if used for more than a few days.
Nasonex or Avamys: which is better?
Both are steroid nasal sprays. Avamys contains fluticasone furoate. A doctor chooses based on your symptoms, age and what has worked before.
Why does my nose bleed with Nasonex?
Nosebleeds are a common side effect. Aim the spray away from the middle wall of the nose. See a doctor if they are frequent or heavy.
Sources
- AEMPS CIMA: Nasonex package leaflet
- MedlinePlus: Mometasone nasal spray
- NHS: Mometasone nasal spray
- MHRA: Rebound congestion with decongestant sprays
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
