Mefenamic Acid

Pain, Mild pain, Primary Dysmenorrhoea + 1 more

Treatment

3 FDA approvals

2 Active Studies for Mefenamic Acid

What is Mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic acid

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Ibuprofen is a type of medication that reduces pain, inflammation, and fever. It works by blocking enzymes, known as cyclooxygenase, that are involved in the production of hormones that cause inflammation.

Ponstel

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Mefenamic Acid Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Ponstel

Mefenamic acid

1967

14

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Mefenamic acid, also known as Ponstel, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses such as Pain and Mild pain .

Pain

Mild pain

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

Effectiveness

How Mefenamic Acid Affects Patients

Mefenamic acid is a type of medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called NSAIDs. It helps to reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. It works by blocking the production of a natural body chemical called prostaglandin, which helps to reduce the symptoms.

How Mefenamic Acid works in the body

Mefenamic acid reduces pain by blocking the action of prostaglandin synthetase receptors. These receptors control inflammation, which can worsen pain. By reducing the activity of these receptors, mefenamic acid is able to reduce the symptoms of pain.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested dosage of Mefenamic Acid is contingent upon the identified condition, such as Pain, Muscle Cramp and Primary Dysmenorrhoea. The measure of dosage is contingent upon the approach of administration, which can be found in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Pain

, 250.0 mg

, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral

Mild pain

, 250.0 mg

, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

, 250.0 mg

, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral

Muscle Cramp

, 250.0 mg

, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Oral

Warnings

Mefenamic Acid has seven counterindications and should not be administered concurrently with the circumstances outlined in the following table.

Mefenamic Acid Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

cardiac bypass surgery

Do Not Combine

Stomach Ulcer

Do Not Combine

preexisting renal disease

Do Not Combine

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Do Not Combine

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Mefenamic Acid may interact with Pulse Frequency

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Mefenamic Acid may interact with Pulse Frequency

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Mefenamic Acid may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Mefenamic Acid.

Common Mefenamic Acid Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Enasidenib

Major

The metabolism of Enasidenib can be decreased when combined with Mefenamic acid.

Epirubicin

Major

The metabolism of Epirubicin can be decreased when combined with Mefenamic acid.

Macimorelin

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Macimorelin can be decreased when used in combination with Mefenamic acid.

Methotrexate

Major

The serum concentration of Methotrexate can be increased when it is combined with Mefenamic acid.

Mifamurtide

Major

The therapeutic efficacy of Mifamurtide can be decreased when used in combination with Mefenamic acid.

Mefenamic Acid Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dose of this drug in rats is 740mg/kg. Overdosing can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, dark stool, ringing in the ears, change in urine output, an abnormally fast or slow heartbeat, muscle weakness, slow or shallow breathing, confusion, intense headaches, or loss of consciousness.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Mefenamic Acid Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Mefenamic Acid?

Currently, 4 active clinical trials are assessing the potential of Mefenamic Acid to alleviate Mild Pain, Primary Dysmenorrhoea and Muscle Cramps.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

1 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Muscle Cramp

0 Actively Recruiting

Mild pain

0 Actively Recruiting

Patient Q&A Section about mefenamic acid

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Which is stronger Ibuprofen or mefenamic acid?

"Mean pain relief score and pain intensity difference increased for both groups, with the Ibuprofen group having a higher score within the first 30 minutes. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The pain intensity difference was significantly higher for the Ibufropen group until 20 minutes."

Answered by AI

Who should take mefenamic acid?

"Mefenamic acid is a medication used to relieve mild to moderate pain, as well as cramps associated with menstruation. It is intended for use in people aged 14 and up, and should not be used for more than 7 days at a time."

Answered by AI

What is mefenamic acid used for?

"Mefenamic acid is an anti-inflammatory drug that can be used to treat pain, cramps, and other conditions as determined by a doctor. This drug is only available with a prescription from a doctor."

Answered by AI

Is mefenamic acid the same as Ibuprofen?

"The study found that mefenamic acid and ibuprofen had a similar effect in reducing pain and inflammation, with few side effects. Some people taking ibuprofen reported feeling drowsy, while a smaller number of people taking mefenamic acid reported the same side effect."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Mefenamic Acid

Image of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, United States.

Pain Medicines for Period Pain in Crohn's Disease

18 - 44
Female
Chapel Hill, NC

The purpose of this pilot study is to prepare for a larger study that will compare the effectiveness and safety of two common pain medications, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, to help treat period cramps in women with Crohn's disease. The goal of this study is to identify any challenges in running a larger study. The investigators will track how many people sign up for the study, how well participants follow the study plan, how many people stay in the study, and whether they are able to complete all the study activities, such as taking the medication, submitting samples, and filling out surveys. During the study, participants will undergo a screening visit that includes a blood draw, physical exam, pregnancy test, stool testing, and complete surveys about Crohn's disease and menstrual cycles. Once this visit is complete, the rest of the study will occur at home. Participants will be assigned to take either ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help treat period cramps for four menstrual cycles in a row. Participants will take ibuprofen for two cycles and acetaminophen for two cycles. Participants will know which medication is being taken at any given time, but the order in which they take the medications will be randomly assigned. Before each menstrual cycle, participants will submit a stool sample and fill out a short (\<1 minute) electronic survey. When participants develop period cramps, they will take the assigned medication for three days and fill out short (\<1 minute) electronic surveys about their cramps. After participants finish taking the medication for three days, they will submit another stool sample and fill out two more short (\<1 minute) electronic surveys. After have completing this process for four menstrual cycles, a remote interview with a researcher to give feedback on the study will be conducted.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Erica J Brenner, MD, MSCR