Ponstel

Generic name: Mefenamic Acid
Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Usage of Ponstel

Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain. It may also be used to treat menstrual cramps and other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Ponstel side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bloody urine

bloody, black, or tarry stools

decreased frequency or amount of urine

heartburn

increased bleeding time

increased blood pressure

increased thirst

indigestion

itching, skin rash

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

nausea

pale skin

severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning

stomach bloating

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

trouble breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing

weight gain

weight loss

Less common

Bleeding gums

blood in vomit

blurred vision

burning feeling in the chest or stomach

chest pain or tightness

clay-colored stools

cloudy urine

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

difficult or labored breathing

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty in swallowing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

fainting

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fever or chills

frequent urge to urinate

headache

increased volume of pale, dilute urine

irregular, rapid, or slow breathing

irregular heartbeat

large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin

light-colored stools

lightheadedness

nervousness

noisy breathing

pain or burning feeling in the throat

pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue

severe or continuing stomach pain

slow heartbeat

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth

stomach upset

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

swollen glands

tenderness in the stomach area

tremors

unpleasant breath odor

upper right stomach pain

yellow eyes and skin

Rare

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

change in consciousness

chest discomfort

continuing vomiting

cracks in the skin

diarrhea

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position

drowsiness

fever with or without chills

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general body swelling

general feeling of illness

high fever

hives

increased hunger

joint or muscle pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

leg pain

loss of consciousness

loss of heat from the body

no blood pressure

no breathing

no pulse

nosebleeds

painful glands

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

racing heartbeat or pulse

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

redness or soreness of the skin

scaly skin

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

severe headache

sneezing

sores, welting, or blisters

stiff neck or back

sweating

swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin

unexplained weight loss

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

feeling of fullness

hearing loss

passing gas

stomach discomfort

Less common

Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

discouragement

dry mouth

fear

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling sad or empty

hair loss, thinning of the hair

increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

irritability

lack of appetite

lack of interest or pleasure

lack or loss of strength

redness or other discoloration of the skin

sensation of spinning

severe sunburn

sleepiness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

Rare

Appetite changes

burning, dry, or itching eyes

change in hearing

discharge, excessive tearing

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ponstel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of mefenamic acid in children below 14 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mefenamic acid in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving mefenamic acid.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Ketorolac

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

ABCiximab

Aceclofenac

Acemetacin

Acenocoumarol

Aluminum Carbonate, Basic

Aluminum Hydroxide

Aluminum Phosphate

Amifampridine

Amiloride

Amineptine

Amitriptyline

Amitriptylinoxide

Amoxapine

Amtolmetin Guacil

Anagrelide

Apixaban

Ardeparin

Argatroban

Aspirin

Balsalazide

Bemetizide

Bemiparin

Bendroflumethiazide

Benzthiazide

Betamethasone

Betrixaban

Bismuth Subsalicylate

Bivalirudin

Bromfenac

Budesonide

Bufexamac

Bumetanide

Bupropion

Calcium carbonate

Cangrelor

Celecoxib

Certoparin

Chlorothiazide

Chlorthalidone

Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate

Choline Salicylate

Cilostazol

Citalopram

Clomipramine

Clonixin

Clopamide

Clopidogrel

Cortisone

Cyclopenthiazide

Cyclosporine

Cyclothiazide

Dabigatran Etexilate

Dalteparin

Danaparoid

Deflazacort

Desipramine

Desirudin

Desmopressin

Desvenlafaxine

Dexamethasone

Dexibuprofen

Dexketoprofen

Diazoxide

Dibenzepin

Diclofenac

Diflunisal

Digoxin

Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate

Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate

Dipyridamole

Dipyrone

Donepezil

Dothiepin

Doxepin

Droxicam

Duloxetine

Edoxaban

Emtricitabine

Enoxaparin

Eplerenone

Epoprostenol

Eptifibatide

Escitalopram

Ethacrynic Acid

Etodolac

Etofenamate

Etoricoxib

Etozolin

Felbinac

Fenoprofen

Fepradinol

Feprazone

Feverfew

Floctafenine

Flufenamic Acid

Fluocortolone

Fluoxetine

Flurbiprofen

Fluvoxamine

Fondaparinux

Furosemide

Ginkgo

Gossypol

Heparin

Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrocortisone

Hydroflumethiazide

Ibuprofen

Iloprost

Imipramine

Indapamide

Indomethacin

Inotersen

Ketoprofen

Lepirudin

Levoketoconazole

Levomilnacipran

Lithium

Lofepramine

Lornoxicam

Loxoprofen

Lumiracoxib

Magaldrate

Magnesium Carbonate

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium Oxide

Magnesium Salicylate

Magnesium Trisilicate

Meadowsweet

Meclofenamate

Melitracen

Meloxicam

Melphalan

Mesalamine

Methotrexate

Methyclothiazide

Methylprednisolone

Metolazone

Milnacipran

Morniflumate

Nabumetone

Nadroparin

Naproxen

Nefazodone

Nepafenac

Niflumic Acid

Nimesulide

Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin

Nortriptyline

Olsalazine

Opipramol

Oxaprozin

Oxyphenbutazone

Paramethasone

Parecoxib

Parnaparin

Paroxetine

Pemetrexed

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium

Pentoxifylline

Phenindione

Phenprocoumon

Phenylbutazone

Phenyl Salicylate

Piketoprofen

Piretanide

Piroxicam

Polythiazide

Potassium Citrate

Prasugrel

Prednisolone

Prednisone

Proglumetacin

Propyphenazone

Proquazone

Protein C

Protriptyline

Quinethazone

Reviparin

Rivaroxaban

Rofecoxib

Salicylamide

Salicylic Acid

Salsalate

Selexipag

Sertraline

Sibutramine

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Salicylate

Spironolactone

Sulfasalazine

Sulfinpyrazone

Sulindac

Sulodexide

Tacrolimus

Tenofovir Alafenamide

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

Tenoxicam

Tianeptine

Tiaprofenic Acid

Ticagrelor

Ticlopidine

Tinzaparin

Tirofiban

Tolfenamic Acid

Tolmetin

Torsemide

Trazodone

Treprostinil

Triamterene

Trichlormethiazide

Trimipramine

Trolamine Salicylate

Valdecoxib

Venlafaxine

Vilazodone

Vorapaxar

Vortioxetine

Warfarin

Xipamide

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acebutolol

Atenolol

Azilsartan

Azilsartan Medoxomil

Benazepril

Betaxolol

Bisoprolol

Candesartan

Captopril

Carteolol

Carvedilol

Celiprolol

Enalapril

Enalaprilat

Eprosartan

Esmolol

Fosinopril

Irbesartan

Labetalol

Levobunolol

Lisinopril

Losartan

Metipranolol

Metoprolol

Moexipril

Nadolol

Nebivolol

Olmesartan

Oxprenolol

Penbutolol

Perindopril

Pindolol

Propranolol

Quinapril

Ramipril

Sotalol

Spirapril

Telmisartan

Timolol

Trandolapril

Valsartan

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Relate drugs

How to use Ponstel

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance for side effects.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If this medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (capsules):

For menstrual cramps:

Adults and children 14 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg), then 250 mg every 6 hours as needed, for 2 to 3 days.

Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For mild to moderate pain:

Adults and children 14 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg), then 250 mg every 6 hours as needed, for not more than 1 week.

Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Warnings

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or weakness.

This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or using certain other medicines (eg, steroid medicine, blood thinner).

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Serious skin reactions, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Some possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual weight gain, yellow skin or eyes, decreased urination, bleeding or bruising, or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur including chest pain or tightness, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of skin, weakness, or slurring of speech. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.

This medicine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.