Vetdrugs 2.0Mometasone furoate is a synthetic glucocorticoid used locally for anti-inflammatory effects. In veterinary medicine, its established role is as the steroid component of selected canine otic combination products. It reduces inflammatory swelling, erythema and pruritus while the accompanying antifungal and antibacterial ingredients address susceptible organisms.
Group
Topical glucocorticoid
Mechanism of Action
Mometasone activates intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and modifies transcription of inflammatory-response genes. Reduced cytokine expression, inflammatory-cell activity and mediator production decrease local vascular permeability and tissue inflammation. In otitis externa, these effects reduce ear-canal edema and pruritus. Antibacterial or antifungal activity of a combination preparation is supplied by its other active ingredients.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory otitis externa | Reference only | TOPICAL | Every 24 h | Up to 7 days; Mometamax 7.5/15/30 g bottle: 4 drops per affected ear for dogs <30 lb; 8 drops for ≥30 lb. With the 215 g bottle use 2 or 4 drops respectively. Give once daily for 7 days. |
| Focal inflammatory skin lesion adjunct | Reference only | TOPICAL | Every 12–24 h | Apply a small amount of a suitable topical formulation once or twice daily, then reduce frequency after control. Use short focal courses; do not apply the otic seven-day drop schedule as a skin amount. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal inflammatory skin lesion adjunct | Reference only | TOPICAL | Every 12–24 h | Apply a small amount of a suitable topical formulation once or twice daily, then reduce frequency after control. Use short focal courses; do not apply the otic seven-day drop schedule as a skin amount. |
Indications
- Treatment of the inflammatory component of canine otitis externa associated with susceptible bacteria or Malassezia yeast using a corresponding mometasone-containing otic combination.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Ruptured tympanic membrane for Mometamax
- Uncontrolled infection treated with steroid alone
Interactions
- Other corticosteroids may increase systemic glucocorticoid exposure.
- Additional ototoxic drugs may increase risk from aminoglycoside-containing combinations.
Adverse effects
- Delayed healing
- Local irritation
- Adrenal suppression with prolonged exposure
- Combination-dependent hearing or vestibular effects
Toxicity
Prolonged or excessive exposure can cause systemic glucocorticoid effects. Stop ear treatment and assess if hearing or vestibular changes occur.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mometamax otic suspension 1 mg/g mometasone furoate equivalent from monohydrate. Other strengths are gentamicin base equivalent and clotrimazole. Shake; store 2–25°C; use within 28 days of opening. Drop count depends on bottle size. | Other | mometasone furoate 1 mg / g + gentamicin 3 mg / g + clotrimazole 10 mg / g | TOPICAL |
Monitoring and Administration
Confirm infection and intact tympanic membrane before combination treatment.
Mometamax treatment is limited to 7 consecutive days in the verified schedule; bottle size changes delivered drop volume. Prevent ingestion.
Mometasone skin products are generally reserved for focal or multifocal lesions requiring a potent steroid; use the smallest area and shortest effective course, with less than two months as a described short-course context rather than an automatic duration.
Monitor for skin atrophy, milia, comedones, pyoderma and systemic glucocorticoid effects. Larger treated areas and smaller patients increase exposure risk. Prevent licking for 20–30 minutes; avoid eyes.
Topical steroid effects may alter allergy testing; a two-week washout has been suggested, subject to the testing protocol.