Mefenamic Acid

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (me fe nam' ik)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Mefenamic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, including menstrual pain (pain that happens before or during a menstrual period). Mefenamic acid is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.


How should this medicine be used?

Mefenamic acid comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food every 6 hours as needed for up to 1 week. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take mefenamic acid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking mefenamic acid,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mefenamic acid, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in mefenamic acid capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: antacids; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone); angiotensin receptor blockers such as azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran); atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotax); clopidogrel (Plavix); diuretics ('water pills'), efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla); fluconazole (Diflucan); fluvastatin (Lescol); metronidazole (Flagyl); lithium (Lithobid); lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor); methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sulfamethoxazole (in Bactrim, in Septra); sulfinpyrazone (no longer available in U.S.; Anturane); trimethoprim (Primsol, in Bactrim, in Septra); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the inside of the nose); heart failure; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs (fluid retention); or liver or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking mefenamic acid, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking mefenamic acid.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Mefenamic acid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas or bloating
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • nervousness
  • ringing in the ears
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more mefenamic acid until you speak to your doctor.
  • blurred vision
  • unexplained weight gain
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • fever
  • blisters
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or arms
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • pale skin
  • fast heartbeat
  • excessive tiredness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • lack of energy
  • nausea
  • loss of appetite
  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach
  • flu-like symptoms
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
  • back pain
  • difficult or painful urination


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.


Drug Category/Class

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Fenamates
  • Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products, Non-Steroids
  • Antiinflammatory and Antirheumatic Products
  • Musculo-Skeletal System
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inducers
  • Fenamates
Prescribed For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, and mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever.
Weight :241.2851
Structure Mefenamic acid
Generic Drug Mefenamic acid prescribed For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea, and mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever.
Formula

C15H15NO2

Mefenamic Acid has 34 Brands listed


Dysmen (500 mg)Fenamin (250 mg)
Flexiwin MF (60 ml)Gimef (100 mg)
Gimef P (100 mg)Mefac (250 mg)
Mefac (500 mg)Mefacid (250 mg)
Mefacid (500 mg)Mefacid (60 ml)
Mefacid DT (100 mg)Mefan (250 mg)
MefastMefdol Forte (250 mg)
Mefdol Forte (500 mg)Meff P (100 mg)
MefkinMeflup (250 mg)
Meflup (500 mg)Mefnum (100 mg)
Mefrin (250 mg)Mefrin (500 mg)
Meftal (250 mg)Meftal (500 mg)
Meftal P (60 ml)Meftal P DT (100 mg)
MF 250 (250 mg)Migesic (100 mg)
Osra (500 mg)Osra (60 ml)
Ponstan (250 mg)Ponstan (500 mg)
Ponstan (60 ml)Raymef DT (100 mg)

Search Generic Drugs alphabetically