Description and instructions

Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory drug and has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is explained by the ability of mefenamic acid to reduce the activity of lysosomal enzymes involved in inflammatory reactions and inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators (kinins, serotonin, prostaglandins and others). Mefenamic acid also reduces vascular permeability, normalizes cell membranes and protein ultrastructures, inhibits the production of mucopolysaccharides, destroys the process of oxidative phosphorylation, inhibits cell proliferation at the site of inflammation, promotes wound healing and increases cellular resistance or resistance. The antipyretic effect of the drug is determined by its ability to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, as well as affect the thermoregulation center. With the analgesic mechanism, in addition to the ability to influence the central foci of pain sensitivity, the local effect on the sources of inflammatory processes and inhibition of the formation of algogens (serotonin, histamine, kinins) is of great importance. Mefenamic acid differs from most other non-steroidal antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory drugs in that it can stimulate the formation of interferon. After oral administration, mefenamic acid is almost completely and very quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It reaches its maximum concentration in the blood plasma two, three or four hours after administration, and its level in the blood is proportional to the dose taken. On the second day of use, with a frequency of use of one gram four times a day, an equilibrium concentration is determined equal to the ratio of twenty millikilograms/milliliters. Ninety percent binds to blood albumin. The half-life is two to four hours. It is excreted unchanged from the body as metabolites mainly in urine (sixty-seven percent) and feces (twenty to twenty-five percent).

Phenotisian derivatives, pyridoxine, antithrombotic agents, thiamine, opioid analgesics, vitamin K antagonists when taken together with mefenamic acid enhance its effect. When taken together with methotrexate, the toxic effect of the latter increases, and simultaneous use with warfarin can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. Concomitant use with antacids increases the maximum concentration of mefenamic acid in the blood plasma and increases AUC; combined use with other non-steroidal antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory drugs increases the risk of side effects in the gastrointestinal tract.

Mefenamic acid is available in the form of tablets of ten pieces in a blister and two blisters in a cardboard package. The active substance of the drug is mefenamic acid itself (five hundred milligrams) and excipients - magnesium stearate, stearic acid, potato starch, croscarmellose sodium, methylcellulose. Available without a prescription. The drug is valid for two years.

Mefenamic acid is taken orally before meals. For children over twelve years of age and adults, it is recommended to use two hundred fifty to five hundred milligrams of mefenamic acid, or one half to one tablet of the drug, three or four times a day. With good tolerability of the drug and the degree of impact on the body, the daily dose can be increased to three thousand milligrams (six tablets), and after therapeutic results have been achieved, reduced to one thousand milligrams or two tablets. Children from five to twelve years old are prescribed half a tablet three or four times a day. The course of treatment for pain syndrome is one week, and for joint diseases it can last from twenty days to two months or more.

Indications for use

The drug mefenamic acid is prescribed:

• for diseases of the musculoskeletal system of an inflammatory nature (rheumatism, rheumatoid polyarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis);
• for pain of moderate and low intensity (postpartum and postoperative pain, headaches of various etiologies, toothaches, joint pain, muscle pain);
• with primary dysmenorrhea;
• with dysfunctional menorrhagia, which was also caused after the use of intrauterine contraceptives;
• for influenza and acute respiratory viral diseases;
• with infectious-allergic myocarditis;
• with fever;
• for myalgia;
• for arthralgia;
• with premenstrual syndrome.

Contraindications

The drug mefenamic acid is not used in the following cases:

• for diseases of the hematopoietic organs and kidneys;
• for chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of an inflammatory nature;
• for peptic ulcers of the duodenum and stomach;
• for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding (if necessary, breastfeeding should be temporarily stopped);
• for children under five years of age;
• with acute sensitivity to mefenamic acid and other components of the drug.

Carefully

• if the patient has a history of peptic ulcers of the duodenum and stomach;
• if the patient has a history of allergic reactions to non-steroidal antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory drugs (mefenamic acid, acetylsalicylic acid and others).

Side effects

Mefenamic acid may cause the following side effects:

• on the skin: allergic reactions, itching, skin rash, swelling of the face;
• for the central nervous system: irritability, weakness, insomnia or drowsiness;
• for the senses: visual disturbances, ringing in the ears;
• for the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, dyspepsia, diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, anorexia, nausea, pain in the epigastric region, an increase in liver enzymes in the blood plasma;
• in the hematopoietic system: leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, increased bleeding time;
• in the cardiovascular system: arrhythmia, arterial hypertension. Rarely - peripheral edema, heart failure, syncope;
• in the urinary system: hematuria, cystitis, dysuria, albuminuria, renal dysfunction, polyuria or oliguria;
• in the respiratory system: bronchospasm, dyspnea;
• in case of overdose: drowsiness, vomiting, nausea, pain in the epigastric region. In severe forms of overdose - arterial hypertension, gastrointestinal bleeding, twitching of certain muscle groups, respiratory depression, coma.

Reviews about Mefenamic acid

Let us introduce you to reviews of Mefenamic acid:

• Darina. My son is now ten years old, and before that, he and I had been saving ourselves from all sorts of kidney problems since the age of five. The only drug that helped us with this was mefenamic acid. Plus, these tablets are also an antiviral agent, but the downside is that they should not be taken by children more than four times a day. Mefenamic acid does not contain any additives, such as hydrochloride. This drug can be taken with milk. Reduces temperature in one hour. I really like this medicine, no other tablets, no suppositories, nothing helped except mefenamic acid. I always have it in my house. Probably everyone knows what problems there are with the kidneys. At a temperature of thirty-nine and nine, nothing saved us, only this remedy.

• Marina. I went to the antenatal clinic due to severe pain with each menstruation. I used many pills before, but none helped. The doctor recommended that I buy mefenamic acid, which should help with severe pain. Then I used this medicine for fever and when I had a toothache. These tablets also help with colds, inflammation, and so on. The tablets themselves are odorless and tasteless, they are not scary to take and are moderately expensive.

• Olesya. I bought this drug a long time ago. But I couldn’t use it, it turns out, because I was breastfeeding the baby. Now it is still at home.

• Oleg. I can say a lot about mefenamic acid. In our house, this medicine takes first place right after heart remedies. When someone in our house fell ill with a cold, I went to the pharmacy, where they advised me to take mefenamic acid. It turned out that the medicine cures many diseases: toothache and headache, rheumatism, flu, polyarthritis and so on. When we get sick at home, when we have a backache, or a runny nose, we definitely use this medicine. A good thing, sold without a prescription.

"Reviews!"

Efficiency	Side effects	Easy to take	Price
Overall Satisfaction

Consumers are aware of numerous anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs that they actively use. Only a small number of people know that mefenamic acid has similar properties, which perfectly relieves pain, helps fight the flu and has a wide spectrum of action.

What are mefenamic acid tablets for?

The drug mefenamic acid, the indications for which are very extensive, allows you to quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms. The dosage form is prescribed for:

• ARVI and influenza infection (as a complex treatment);
• pain of various origins;
• swelling, pain, inflammation after surgery or injury;
• rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis;
• large blood loss during menstruation;
• high temperature (fever);
• pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea).

Mefenamic acid at temperature

Among the large number of medications that reduce high fever, mefenamic acid has a special place. She not only copes with the task “perfectly” in a short time, but also relieves any pain at the same time. In addition, the medicine reduces the temperature of both adults and children, so it is an excellent remedy for a home first aid kit.

Mefenamic acid for colds

Although the remedy helps with various ailments, it is most often prescribed for colds. The use of mefenamic acid in acute and subacute periods significantly facilitates the course of the disease and leads to rapid recovery and restoration of the body. This remedy affects the immune system, giving it an impetus to activate. It is important to start taking pills as early as possible, as soon as you feel unwell. In this case, complications after the disease are much less common, and the effect of use is more pronounced.

When using mefenamic acid in treatment, it is important to drink it correctly. After all, like most drugs, it has its own characteristics. The use of mefenamina, as it is also called, is allowed only after meals in order to minimize possible negative effects on the digestive system. The second, important condition is to take the tablet not with water, but with milk. This refers to precautions - the stomach, especially in children and sensitive people, tolerates treatment better this way. If the patient does not drink milk or is intolerant to this product, then it can be replaced with water.

Mefenamic acid, the use of which is effective for different age categories, naturally also has contraindications, which include:

• individual hypersensitivity to the composition of mefenamic acid;
• patient age is less than 5 years;
• disease of the kidneys, stomach (ulcer), and liver;
• period of lactation and pregnancy;
• tendency to Quincke's edema;
• intestinal inflammation.

In addition to contraindications, this highly effective remedy has some side effects. Before taking the pills, you should read this list to be fully prepared, especially if you are taking the medicine for the first time:

• indigestion - bloating, nausea, belching;
• pain in the pit of the stomach or in the stomach area;
• indigestion;
• high blood pressure, edema, tachycardia, arrhythmia;
• bronchospasm and shortness of breath;
• anemia and other abnormalities in the blood picture;
• kidney inflammation, hematuria, disturbances in the urinary system;
• sleep disorder and irritability;
• all kinds of skin rashes, including urticaria.

Mefenamic acid - dosage

The effect of any medicine will be more effective if it is taken according to the instructions or doctor's prescription. The dosage of mefenamic acid depends on the age of the patient. There are two forms of release - tablets of 250 mg and 500 mg. Adults and children over 12 years of age are prescribed 250-500 mg 3-4 times a day. If there are no side effects and there is a need to increase the dosage, it is increased to 3000 mg or 6 tablets of 500 mg. After visible improvements have occurred, the dosage is reduced to 1000 mg. Children aged 5 to 12 years are prescribed a dosage of 250 mg 3-4 times a day.

Paracetamol and mefenamic acid

There are situations when the temperature stubbornly persists and does not want to decrease. If no changes occur within an hour after taking mefenamic acid, some doctors recommend taking half the dose of paracetamol. This applies only to adults; such a combination of drugs is undesirable for children, although these two drugs belong to different groups and enhance the influence of each other. However, children should avoid their simultaneous use.

If it turns out that an overdose has occurred, then traditional symptomatic therapy is carried out:

• gastric lavage;
• accelerated diuresis;
• reception of sorbents.

Mefenamic acid - trade names

The drug mefenamic acid can be included as the main active ingredient in medications under different names. They are sold in pharmacy outlets under the following names:

• Mefenamic acid tablets:
• Mefenaminka;
• mefenamic acid capsules;
• mephenamine sodium salt.

Mefenamic acid – analogues

Mefenamic acid is a drug with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Release form and composition

Mefenamic acid is produced in the form of tablets, 10 pcs. in blister packs, 5 packs in cardboard boxes.

1 tablet contains 500 mg of the active substance of the same name.

Auxiliary components: methylcellulose, potato starch, octadecanoic acid, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate.

Indications for use

• Feverish conditions (as an antipyretic);
• Pain syndrome (symptomatic therapy);
• Influenza and ARVI (as part of complex therapy);
• Inflammatory processes of the osteoarticular system, including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, ankylosing spondylitis;
• Functional dysmenorrhea;
• Post-operative and post-traumatic manifestations (swelling, pain, inflammation);
• Blood loss during menorrhagia caused by ovulatory dysfunctional bleeding in the absence of pathology of the pelvic organs.

Contraindications

• Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• Inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Functional disorders of the kidneys and liver;
• Blood diseases;
• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Children under 5 years of age;
• Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Directions for use and dosage

Mefenamic acid should be taken orally after meals.

Adults are prescribed 3-4 times a day, 1 tablet (0.5 g). If the drug is well tolerated, if necessary, the daily dose is increased to a maximum of 3 g. After improvement, the dose is usually reduced by 3 times.

For children aged 5-10 years, the drug is prescribed 3-4 times a day, 0.25 g, for children over 10 years old - 0.3 g with the same frequency of administration.

The duration of the treatment course depends on the characteristics of the disease and tolerability of the drug. As a rule, it is 20-45 days (if necessary - up to 60 days).

Side effects

The most common side effects during therapy are changes in the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by gastrointestinal discomfort, dyspepsia, diarrhea, pain in the epigastrium, and increased levels of liver enzymes. While taking the drug, stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding may develop.

Disorders of certain body systems may also develop:

• Respiratory system: dyspnea, bronchospasm;
• Cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, peripheral edema, rarely – congestive heart failure;
• Genitourinary system: nonspecific inflammation of the kidneys, dysuric manifestations, albuminuria, impaired renal function, hematuria;
• Central nervous system: very rarely – irritability, sleep disturbance;
• Hematological effects: agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenic purpura or thrombocytopenia;
• Allergic reactions: urticaria, skin rashes.

special instructions

If uncharacteristic symptoms develop, you should consult a doctor.

Drug interactions

Mefenamic acid affects platelet function, which enhances the effect of vitamin K antagonists and anticoagulant therapy.

Phenothiazine derivatives, opioid analgesics, dicoumarin, vitamins B6 and B1 can enhance the effect of the drug.

When taken simultaneously with mefenamic acid, methotrexate has more pronounced negative effects.

Warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with the use of mefenamic acid increase the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, antacids increase its bioavailability, which may increase its side effects.

Terms and conditions of storage

Store in a dry place, protected from light, out of reach of children at temperatures up to 25 °C.

Shelf life – 5 years.

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Mefenamic acid has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It helps reduce the inflammatory process. This drug improves wound healing. The antipyretic effect of the drug is explained by the fact that Mefenamic acid reduces the production of prostaglandins. The product has an antiviral effect because it improves the process of interferon formation.

In what cases should it be used?

Mefenamic acid is used for inflammatory joint diseases. The drug reduces swelling and relieves inflammation. It can be used for rheumatism and arthritis. The duration of course treatment for joint pathologies can reach two months. Mefenamic acid is effective in the complex treatment of influenza and viral infections.

The medication will help with female problems: it should be used for dysfunctional dysmenorrhea and prolonged uterine bleeding. The drug can be taken for headaches, muscle pain, and postoperative pain.

What dosages are provided?

Mefenamic acid should be taken orally after meals. The medicine should be taken with milk. Children over 12 years of age should drink 250–500 mg of the drug three times a day. The maximum daily dosage is 3000 mg. When positive dynamics are achieved, the dose is reduced to 1000 mg. Children aged five to twelve years should take 250 mg of mefanamic acid no more than four times a day. The duration of treatment is about a month. When therapeutically treating a pain symptom, the drug must be used for at least a week.

What can you say about side effects?

Mefenamic acid causes adverse changes in the body's digestive system. Often when using the drug, abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea occur. The drug can cause internal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and pancreatitis. It often increases the level of liver enzymes in the blood. Acid also affects the body’s hematopoietic system: it can lead to anemia and thrombocytopenia. This medication may increase blood pressure and change heart rhythm. In rare cases, after taking the medicine, heart failure develops and edema appears.

The acid can cause bronchial spasms and an allergic reaction. It worsens the condition of the kidneys and nervous system. When taking the medicine, the patient's sleep is often disturbed and he becomes irritable. The drug has a negative effect on the senses: when taking this medication, you may experience tinnitus, vision problems, and eye inflammation.

Who is this medicine contraindicated for?

In some cases this medication should not be used:

• Mefenamic acid should not be taken if you are hypersensitive to the components of the product.
• This medicine is prohibited for use in cases of gastric ulcers and inflammatory processes in the intestines.
• It should not be prescribed for severe blood diseases, serious pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
• Children under five years of age should not take this medicine.
• The drug should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The medicine increases the heart rate of the unborn baby.
• The medication should not be taken by women who are planning to become pregnant in the near future, since after its use problems with conception may appear.

Be careful!

This medicine has a large number of side effects. When treating with this drug, you must exercise caution:

• This medication should not be used by people who have had heart surgery.
• The use of this medication is not recommended if you are allergic to Aspirin.
• Elderly patients may experience adverse complications during treatment.
• The risk group also includes patients with diabetes, epilepsy, and angina pectoris. Such patients need to reduce the recommended dosage of the drug.
• If a person has systemic lupus erythematosus, taking the drug is not recommended due to the high likelihood of meningitis.
• Treatment should be stopped if skin rash and diarrhea appear. With long-term use of the drug, it is necessary to monitor blood parameters and kidney function.
• This medication dulls the body's natural reaction; when treating with this drug, you need to be careful when operating a car.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

A well-known pediatrician does not recommend using Mefenamic acid in the treatment of children. The pediatrician believes that this medicine is highly effective and quickly reduces fever. But the drug contains a large amount of harmful substances, so many developed countries have abandoned the use of this drug as an antipyretic.

Komarovsky writes that to reduce the temperature it is better to use Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. These medicines meet all the necessary requirements. They are effective and suitable for treating young patients.

How to use medicinal paste correctly?

The paste and medicinal solution containing Mefenamic acid must be used within several days, so they should be prepared before use. The paste is used to relieve toothache. The therapeutic course involves at least seven sessions. For ulcers on the oral mucosa, applications are made using an aqueous solution of the product. Such procedures should be carried out up to two times a day.

Useful product based on Mefenamic acid

In addition to this acid, Mephenate ointment contains vilinin. It has a bacteriostatic effect. Vilinin is effective for wound healing. It can be used for trophic ulcers, purulent wounds, burns. This remedy is also prescribed for eczema, boils, and severe cracks in the lips.

The structure of the ointment also contains polyethylene oxide. It reduces the inflammatory process and promotes deep penetration of the ointment into the skin.

The ointment has a local effect, it gives a long-lasting effect. The average duration of action is 10 hours.

The product should be applied to the affected part of the body using a gauze pad twice a day. The product has a slight analgesic effect. The duration of treatment is about 14 days. Sometimes there is irritation in the area where the ointment was applied. The redness usually goes away after a few days.

How does the drug interact with other drugs?

If you use this drug in parallel with taking Analgin, the inflammatory process in the patient will go away much faster. It is not recommended to take other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some doctors believe that in the treatment of acute respiratory diseases, in addition to Mefenamic acid, Immusstat should be used. As research results have shown, these two drugs interact well with each other: they quickly eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the disease and reduce the likelihood of complications.

Mefenamic acid is a fairly serious medicine, so you should consult your doctor before starting a course of treatment. Under no circumstances should you exceed the recommended dosage of the drug!