Mefinal: function, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Uses of Mefinal

What is the final medicine?

Mefinal, or Mefinal 500 mg, is a brand of mild to moderate pain relief medicine that contains mefenamic acid.

Mefinal 500 mg serves to treat toothaches, joint pain, headaches, menstrual pain, and reduce fever. This drug belongs to the group nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

How do you take Mefinal's medication?

Mefinal is usually taken 3-4 times a day with a glass of mineral water or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medicine.

If there is upset stomach, drink it at the same time or after eating. You can also drink milk.

Do not take this medication at the same time as an antacid unless your doctor recommends it. Certain antacids may change the amount of medicine that is absorbed by the body.

The dosage is based on your condition and how your body responds to treatment. To reduce the risk of bleeding in the stomach and other side effects, take this medication at the lowest dose for a short time.

If you are using this medication for menstrual pain, take the first dose immediately after 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. Also tell if you have any other new symptoms.

How to store this drug?

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 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.

Mefinal Dosage

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

What is the dosage of Mefinal for adults?

For adults, the dosage of Mefinal is one tablet 3-4 times a day as needed.

What is the dosage of Mefinal for children?

The dose of the drug Mefinal for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for the use and safety of this drug further.

In what dosage is this drug available?

Mefinal is available in 500 mg capsules or tablets.

Mefinal Side Effects

What are the side effects of Mefinal?

Side effects that are not serious but do occur sometimes 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 this drug and seek medical attention or contact your doctor if you have serious side effects, such as:

• Chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of 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 these side effects. There may be some unspecified side effects.

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

Precautions and Warnings

What should be known before using Mefinal?

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to mefenamic acid, aspirin, or any other NSAID. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the inactive ingredients.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had conditions such as: asthma, especially if you experience frequent nasal congestion or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the inside of the nose); swelling of the hands, feet, ankles and lower legs (fluid retention); liver or kidney disease

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 Mefinal, contact your doctor immediately

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Mefinal.

Is Mefinal safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using Mefinal for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks before using this medicine.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C (possibly risky) according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the BPOM in Indonesia.

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 this drug passes into breast milk or whether it harms the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Can Mefinal interact with other drugs?

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 or non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.

The following are drugs that have the potential to interact with Mefinal that you are currently taking:

1. Diuretic drugs

The success rate of diuretic drugs can be reduced when taken together with Mefinal. Some examples of diuretic drugs are:

• chlorthalidone
• torsemide
• bumetanide

2.Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

You should also avoid taking blood thinners or anticoagulants while taking Mefinal.

• Warfarin (Coumadin)

3. Antihypertensive drugs

Taking antihypertensive drugs at the same time as Mefinal 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

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

Drugs that affect serotonin in the body, or SSRIs, also interact with Mefinal because they have 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 at the same time as Mefinal may cause bruising or bleed easily.

5. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)

Although Mefinal is included in the category of NSAID drugs, you should not combine the mefenamic acid content in Mefinal with other NSAID drugs.

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)

6. Other medicines

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

• 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 this drug?

Certain drugs should not be taken at the same time as eating or consuming certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco 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 can interact with this drug?

The presence of other health problems in your body can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems.

According to the Drugs.com website, here are some of the health conditions that may give rise to interactions with Mefinal:

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

Mefenamic acid content in Mefinal has the potential to cause interactions in patients who have fluid retention or edema conditions. Some of the diseases associated with this condition are hypertension and heart failure.

Therefore, people with edema who are taking NSAID drugs, including Mefinal, should receive closer supervision during the treatment period.

2. Liver disease (liver)

Mefinal is a drug that has the potential to trigger hepatotoxicity, a condition in which problems or damage to the liver occurs.

Therefore, this drug should not be taken by patients with liver problems or diseases.

3. Kidney disease

Patients with kidney disease are also not recommended to take Mefinal. Mefenamic acid content in Mefinal has the potential to increase creatinine levels. An excessive amount of creatinine can lead to kidney failure.

4. Heart and blood vessel disease

Mefinal medicine should also not be consumed by patients suffering from heart and blood vessel problems, such as ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, or other blood vessel diseases.

5. Asthma

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

6. Digestive problems

People with digestive problems, such as peptic ulcers or colitis, should avoid taking NSAIDs, including Mefinal.

This is because these drugs run the risk of aggravating existing digestive problems.

7. Hypertension

Patients with hypertension or high blood pressure should also avoid the drug Mefinal because of the risk of worsening pre-existing hypertensive conditions.

8. Anemia

Anemic sufferers are not advised to take Mefinal to avoid the risk of bleeding in the body.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

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.