Mefenamic acid (mefenamic acid): functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Mefenamic Acid What Medicine?

What is mefenamic acid for?

Mefenamic acid, or mefenamic acid, is a medicine to treat mild to moderate pain. Often used as a medicine for toothaches, headaches, and relieve pain during menstruation.

Mefenamic acid or mefenamic acid is known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). This drug can also be used to treat gout attacks.

Mefenamic acid dosage and side effects of mefenamic acid are detailed below.

How do you take mefenamic acid?

Mefenamic acid is usually taken 4 times a day with a glass of mineral water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by a doctor. Don't lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking mefenamic acid.

If there is upset stomach, take this medicine with food or milk. Do not take mefenamic acid at the same time as an antacid unless directed by your doctor.

Certain antacids may change the amount of mefenamic acid that is absorbed by the body.

The dosage is based on the medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce the risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take mefenamic acid at the lowest dose for a short time.

Do not increase your dose, take it regularly, or take it for longer than recommended. The drug mefenamic acid should not be taken for more than 7 days at a time.

If you are taking mefenamic acid as a basic (not daily) "need", keep in mind that this medication works best when taken when the first signs of pain occur. If you wait for the signs to get worse, the medicine won't work very well.

If you are using mefenamic acid for menstrual pain, take your first dose immediately after the onset of menstruation or when the pain arrives. Usually, you only need to consume it for the first 2 or 3 days of your period.

Tell your doctor if your pain does not improve or gets worse or if you have other new symptoms.

How is mefenamic acid stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Mefenamic Acid Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for mefenamic acid for adults?

The following is the dosage for mefenamic acid or mefenamic acid for adults aged 18 years and over:

Mefenamic acid dosage for pain management

• The first dose is 500 mg. Then, continue with 250 mg every 6 hours as needed
• This medicine should not be taken for more than 7 days.

Mefenamic acid dosage for menstrual pain

• The first dose is 500 mg. Then, continue with 250 mg every 6 hours as needed
• This medicine should not be taken for more than 3 days.

What is the dosage for mefenamic acid for children?

Here is the dosage for mefenamic acid or mefenamic acid for children:

Mefenamic acid dosage for children 14-18 years

• The first dose is 500 mg. Then, continue with 250 mg every 6 hours as needed
• This medicine should not be taken for more than 7 days.

Mefenamic acid or mefenamic acid is not recommended for consumption by children under 14 years of age.

In what dosage is mefenamic acid available?

Mefenamic acid or mefenamic acid is available in capsule form to drink. The content in 1 capsule is 250 mg.

Mefenamic Acid side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to mefenamic acid?

Side effects of mefenamic acid that are not serious but sometimes occur include:

• Nausea, heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating
• Dizziness, headache, nervousness
• The skin feels itchy or there is a rash
• Dry mouth
• Sweating, runny nose
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears

Stop taking mefenamic acid and seek medical attention or contact your doctor when you have serious side effects:

• Chest pain, tiredness, shortness of breath, less clear speech, problems with vision or balance
• Black, bloody stools, bloody cough or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Urinating rarely or not at all
• Pain, heat, or bleeding when urinating
• Nausea, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Fever, sore throat, and headache, skin blisters, peeling, and there is a red rash on the skin
• Bruising, severe tingling, numbness, muscle weakness

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Mefenamic Acid Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with mefenamic acid?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

The following are drugs that have the potential to cause interactions with mefenamic acid that you are taking:

1. Antihypertensive drugs

Taking antihypertensive drugs together with mefenamic acid actually reduces the effect of lowering blood pressure. Examples of drugs included in antihypertensives include:

• angiotensin receptor blockers, such as valsartan, candesartan, or losartan
• angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitor, such as captopril, lisinopril, enalapril
• beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, atenolol, timolol

2. Diuretic drugs

The success of diuretic drugs can also be reduced when taken together with mefenamic acid. Some examples of diuretic drugs are:

• chlorthalidone
• torsemide
• bumetanide

3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID)

Although mefenamic acid is included in the category of NSAID drugs, you should not take mefenamic acid with other NSAIDs.

This is because mefenamic acid combined with NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding and ulcers in your stomach. The following are examples of NSAID drugs:

• aspirin
• ibuprofen
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• phenoprofen (Nalfon)
• flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• ketoprofen (Orudis)
• ketorolac (Toradol)
• meclofenamate (Meclomen)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• piroxicam (Feldene)

4.Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

You should also avoid taking blood thinners or anticoagulants while taking mefenamic acid.

• Warfarin (Coumadin)

5. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI) and other antidepressants

Medicines that affect serotonin in the body, or SSRIs, also interact with mefenamic acid because of the potential to cause serious stomach bleeding. The following are SSRI drugs that should be avoided:

• citalopram (Celexa)
• fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)

Taking either of these drugs together with mefenamic acid can cause bruising or bleed easily.

6. Other medicines

Other drugs can also increase the risk of drug interactions when taken with mefenamic acid:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• steroid (prednisone)
• lovastatin (Mevacor)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• sulfamethoxazole
• sulfinpyrazone (Anturane)
• trimethoprim (Proloprim)
• zafirlukast (Accolate)

Can food or alcohol interact with mefenamic acid?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with mefenamic acid?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

1. Asthma

About 10% of asthma patients may have a condition sensitive to NSAID drugs, including mefenamic acid. Asthma patients who take mefenamic acid have the potential to experience several side effects such as bronchospasm (convulsions) and severe anaphylactic reactions.

Therefore, if you have asthma, tell your doctor so that you can get a prescription for another drug that is more suitable.

2.Edema (fluid retention or swelling in the body)

In some cases, the drug mefenamic acid has the potential to cause interactions in patients who have fluid retention or edema. Some of the diseases associated with this condition are hypertension and heart failure.

Therefore, people with edema who are taking NSAIDs, including mefenamic acid, should be closely monitored during the treatment period.

3. Digestive problems

People with digestive problems, such as stomach ulcers or colitis, should not take NSAIDs, including mefenamic acid.

This is because these drugs have the potential to exacerbate existing digestive problems and even increase the risk of bleeding in the digestive tract.

4. Kidney disease

Patients with kidney disease are also not advised to take mefenamic acid. This drug has the potential to increase creatinine levels. An excessive amount of creatinine can lead to kidney failure.

5. Liver disease

Mefenamic acid is included in drugs that have the potential to trigger hepatotoxicity, a condition in which problems or damage to the liver occurs.

Therefore, this drug should not be consumed by patients who have liver problems or diseases.

6. Hypertension

Patients with hypertension or high blood pressure should also avoid mefenamic acid drugs. This drug is at risk of worsening pre-existing hypertensive conditions.

7. Heart and blood vessel disease

The drug mefenamic acid should also be avoided by patients suffering from heart and blood vessel problems, such as ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, or other vascular disease.

8. Anemia

Anemic sufferers are not advised to consume mefenamic acid to avoid the risk of excessive bleeding in the body.

Mefenamic Acid Drug Interactions

What should be known before using mefenamic acid?

Before taking mefenamic acid, make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. This is important to prevent interactions, drug poisoning, and dangerous side effects.

In addition to medicines, also inform your doctor or medical personnel about the disease or health condition that you are currently suffering from. Mefenamic acid has the potential to trigger interactions with certain health conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last month of pregnancy, you are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using mefenamic acid, contact your doctor immediately.

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking mefenamic acid

Is mefenamic acid safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using mefenamic acid in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This medicine falls into a category C (possibly risky) pregnancy risk according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether mefenamant acid gets absorbed into breast milk or whether it harms the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Mefenamic Acid overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Signs of mefenamic acid overdose include:

• Excessive fatigue
• Nausea
• Throws up
• Stomach ache
• The vomit was bloody and looked like coffee grounds
• The stool is dark and bloody
• Slow breathing
• Coma (loss of consciousness over a period of time)

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.