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Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Mefenamic acid works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Mefenamic acid is used short-term (7 days or less) to treat mild to moderate pain in adults and children who are at least 14 years old. Mefenamic acid is also used to treat menstrual pain.
Mefenamic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Mefenamic acid can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Do not use mefenamic acid just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Mefenamic acid may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using mefenamic acid, especially in older adults.
You should not take mefenamic acid if you already have stomach bleeding or an active ulcer, or a bowel disorder such as ulcerative colitis, or if you have kidney disease.
Mefenamic acid can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine.
Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Mefenamic acid may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using mefenamic acid, especially in older adults.
You should not use mefenamic acid if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
an active ulcer or stomach bleeding;
a bowel disorder such as ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease;
kidney disease; or
a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.
To make sure mefenamic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
asthma;
fluid retention; or
liver disease.
Taking mefenamic acid during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Mefenamic acid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Mefenamic acid is not approved for use by anyone younger than 14 years old.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take mefenamic acid in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.
Mefenamic acid should not be used for longer than 7 days. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.
Mefenamic acid can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using mefenamic acid.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Avoid taking aspirin while you are taking mefenamic acid.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to mefenamic acid. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.
Stop using mefenamic acid and call your doctor at once if you have:
the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
swelling or rapid weight gain;
signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
kidney problems--little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Common side effects may include:
stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting;
diarrhea, constipation, gas;
headache, dizziness;
itching, skin rash; or
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose for Pain:
Initial dose: 500 mg orally once
Following initial dose: 250 mg orally every 6 hours as needed
Duration of therapy: Usually not to exceed 1 week
Use: For the relief of acute pain
Usual Adult Dose for Dysmenorrhea:
Initial dose: 500 mg orally once
Following initial dose: 250 mg orally every 6 hours as needed
Duration of therapy: 2 to 3 days
Comments:
-Treatment should begin at the onset of bleeding and associated symptoms.
Use: For the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:
14 years or older:
-Initial dose: 500 mg orally once
-Following initial dose: 250 mg orally every 6 hours as needed
-Duration of therapy: Usually not to exceed 1 week
Use: For the relief of acute pain
Usual Pediatric Dose for Dysmenorrhea:
14 years or older:
-Initial dose: 500 mg orally once
-Following initial dose: 250 mg orally every 6 hours as needed
-Duration of therapy: 2 to 3 days
Comments:
-Treatment should begin at the onset of bleeding and associated symptoms.
Use: For the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
Ask your doctor before using mefenamic acid if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
lithium;
methotrexate;
antacids such as Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids;
a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or
steroid medicine (such as prednisone).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with mefenamic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Further informationRemember, 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.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/27/2021.
Source: Drugs.com Mefenamic Acid (www.drugs.com/mtm/mefenamic-acid.html).
More frequently reported side effects include: abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
For the ConsumerApplies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule
Oral route (Capsule)
NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. Mefenamic acid is contraindicated in the setting of CABG surgery. NSAIDs can also cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.
Along with its needed effects, mefenamic acid may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking mefenamic acid:
More common
Less common
Rare
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking mefenamic acid:
Symptoms of overdose
Some side effects of mefenamic acid may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Rare
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule
GastrointestinalCommon (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, vomiting
Rare (less than 0.1%): Eructation, pancreatitis
Frequency not reported: Peptic ulcer, dry mouth, esophagitis, gastritis, GI bleeding, glossitis, hematemesis, melena, rectal bleeding, stomatitis, anorexia, colitis, enterocolitis, pyrosis, steatorrhea, GI inflammation, ulcerative stomatitis, exacerbation of Crohn's disease, gastritis
GeneralThe most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal (GI) in nature and included abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and gastric or duodenal ulcers.
CardiovascularRare (less than 0.1%): Hypotension, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, palpitations, vasculitis
Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, tachycardia, hypertension, cardiac failure, arterial thrombotic events
HematologicCases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia have been reported with continuous use of this drug for 12 months or longer. In such cases, the Coombs tests were positive for both accelerated RBC production and destruction. The process was reversible upon discontinuation of therapy.
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, bleeding time increased
Rare (less than 0.1%): Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia
Frequency not reported: Eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow hypoplasia, hematocrit decreased, thrombocytopenic purpura, disseminated intravascular coagulation, neutropenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, eosinophilia, platelet aggregation inhibition
MetabolicRare (less than 0.1%): Hyperglycemia
Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia, glucose intolerance, anorexia
Nervous systemCommon (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, drowsiness
Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsions, coma
Frequency not reported: Syncope, paresthesia, somnolence, tremors, optic neuritis
RespiratoryRare (less than 0.1%): Respiratory distress, pneumonia
Frequency not reported: Asthma, dyspnea, bronchospasm, aggravated asthma, laryngeal edema
DermatologicCommon (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria
Frequency not reported: Ecchymosis, purpura, alopecia, photosensitivity, sweating
HepaticCommon (1% to 10%): Elevated liver enzymes
Rare (less than 0.1%): Liver failure
Frequency not reported: Hepatitis, jaundice, cholestatic jaundice, hepatorenal syndrome, mild hepatic toxicity
OcularRare (less than 0.1%): Conjunctivitis
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, eye irritation, reversible loss of color vision, visual disturbances
GenitourinaryFrequency not reported: Cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, oliguria, polyuria, proteinuria, false positive urobilinogen urine
RenalCommon (1% to 10%): Abnormal renal function
Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis, renal failure, allergic/non-allergic glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, non-oliguric renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, tubulointerstitial nephritis
PsychiatricRare (less than 0.1%): Hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, depression, dream abnormalities, insomnia, nervousness
HypersensitivityRare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reaction, non-specific allergic reaction
OtherCommon (1% to 10%): Edema, tinnitus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Death, meningitis, appetite changes, hearing impairment
Frequency not reported: Fever, infection, sepsis, weight changes, asthenia, malaise, vertigo, aseptic meningitis, ear pain, face edema, fatigue, malaise, multi-organ failure, pyrexia, fluid retention, edema of the larynx
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/27/2021.
Source: Drugs.com Mefenamic Acid (www.drugs.com/mtm/mefenamic-acid.html).
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