mefenamic acid

(me Fe NAM ik)
Ponstel

What is the most important information I should know about mefenamic acid?

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Do not take mefenamic acid for longer than 1 week without first talking to your doctor. It is intended for short-term use only.

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Take mefenamic acid with food, milk, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.

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Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or blood in vomit. These symptoms could indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

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If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, mefenamic acid may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What is mefenamic acid?

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Mefenamic acid is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Mefenamic acid works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

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Mefenamic acid is used to reduce pain caused by various conditions including menstruation.

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Mefenamic acid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mefenamic acid?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

have an allergy to aspirin or any other NSAIDs,

have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach,

drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day,

have liver or kidney disease,

a coagulation (bleeding) disorder,

congestive heart failure,

fluid retention,

heart disease, or

high blood pressure.

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You may not be able to take mefenamic acid, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Mefenamic acid is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Mefenamic acid should not be taken late in pregnancy (the third trimester) because a similar drug is known to affect the baby's heart. Do not take mefenamic acid without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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Mefenamic acid passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take mefenamic acid?

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Take mefenamic acid exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Take mefenamic acid with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset.

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Do not take mefenamic acid for longer than 1 week without first talking to your doctor. It is intended for short-term use only.

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Store mefenamic acid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a mefenamic acid overdose include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, seizures, sweating, numbness or tingling, little or no urine production, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking mefenamic acid?

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Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Mefenamic acid may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

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If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, mefenamic acid may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of mefenamic acid?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking mefenamic acid and seek medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling;

ulcers (open sores) in the mouth;

rapid weight gain (fluid retention);

seizures;

black, bloody, or tarry stools;

blood in urine or vomit;

decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;

yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); or

abdominal cramping, indigestion, or heartburn.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take mefenamic acid and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness or headache;

nausea, gaseousness, diarrhea, or constipation;

depression;

fatigue or weakness;

dry mouth; or

irregular menstrual periods.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect mefenamic acid?

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Other prescription and over-the-counter drugs may interact with mefenamic acid. Talk to your doctor before taking mefenamic acid if you are taking any of the following drugs:

another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);

aspirin or another salicylate (form of aspirin) such as salsalate (Disalcid), choline salicylate, and magnesium salicylate;

a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, others), chlorothiazide (Diuril, others), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), bumetanide (Bumex), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone), and amiloride (Midamor);

an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);

a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone);

an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta); or

lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others).

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Talk to your doctor before taking mefenamic acid if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the ones listed above.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mefenamic acid. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about mefenamic acid written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.