Mefenamic acid helps relieve pain and inflammation from various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the joints of fingers, wrist, feet, and ankles) and osteoarthritis (a joint disorder where the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones wears down causing joint pain, swelling and stiffness).
This medicine may also be used to relieve pain associated with menstrual periods.
Mefenamic acid may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Mefenamic acid exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal.
Mefenamic acid is available as a tablet, capsule, and oral suspension.
If you are taking the tablet or capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
You may stop taking this medicine when you have no more swelling or do not feel any pain.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take Mefenamic acid if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes, asthma) to this medicine or similar medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or celecoxib.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- inflammatory bowel disease (group of diseases that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract)
- history of bleeding or hole in the stomach or bowel that is related to previous NSAID (medicines for pain and inflammation) therapy
- active or history of recurrent stomach ulcer or bleeding
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as Mefenamic acid may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease or high blood pressure
- blood vessel problems
- diabetes
- high cholesterol levels in the blood
- asthma
- swelling caused by excess fluid in the body tissues
- blood clotting problems
- bleeding in the brain
- systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
- low volume of circulating fluids in the body
- fits or seizures
- mild to moderate liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant, or in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Mefenamic acid to a child, elderly, or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). These individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Inform your doctor if you are an active smoker.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery or dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests (e.g. complete blood count) to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Routine monitoring of your blood pressure may also be needed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Mefenamic acid may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, indigestion, eye irritation, loss of appetite, hair loss, sweating, ear pain, dizziness with sensations of spinning, ringing in the ears, nervousness, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- unable to pass urine, blood in the urine, change in how much urine is passed
- fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain or pressure
- weakness on one side of the body, change in balance, trouble speaking or thinking
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. aspirin, warfarin
- other anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
- certain medicines to treat depression e.g. paroxetine
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, losartan
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. tacrolimus, ciclosporin
- medicines for diabetes
- digoxin (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- methotrexate (medicine to treat arthritis or cancer)
- probenecid (medicine for gout or high uric acid level in the blood)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Mefenamic acid.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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