Mefenamic Acid

Warning

Risk of serious cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to the drug
• Asthma
• Urticaria
• Other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
• Setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Adverse Reactions

• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Ulceration
• Perforation
• Cardiovascular thrombotic events
• Hypertension
• Heart failure
• Renal toxicity
• Hyperkalemia
• Anaphylactic reactions
• Serious skin reactions

General Guidance

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals

Pregnancy

• Use of NSAIDs, including mefenamic acid, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment
• Limit dose and duration of mefenamic acid use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation, and avoid mefenamic acid use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy

Nursing Mothers

• Trace amounts of mefenamic acid may be present in breast milk and transmitted to the nursing infant
• A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother

Pediatric Use

• Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 14 have not been established

Geriatric Use

• Elderly patients, compared to younger patients, are at greater risk for NSAID-associated serious cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and/or renal adverse reactions
• Start dosing at the low end of the dosing range, and monitor patients for adverse effects