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| Pronunciation |
|
 (me
fe NAM ik AS
id) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Ponstel® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Ponstan-500 (Mexico); Ponstan®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent (NSAID) |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID), mefenamic acid, or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain,
inflammation, and fever; rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; and
dysmenorrhea.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Mefenamic acid reduces inflammation and pain by blocking production
and release of chemicals that produce it. It controls fever by regulating the
body's thermostat in the brain.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. There should
be an interval of at least 6-8 hours between
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. Can cause
severe side effects.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases
in stomach irritation.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have a weakened heart. May cause increased
shortness of breath or weight gain. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Tell dentists,
surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine. You may be
instructed to stop this medication for a while before any procedure. Ask for
specific instructions about the time for stopping and restarting.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines,
other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng,
ginkgo, and vitamin E while taking. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine,
especially aspirin, or have asthma. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how
it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of
breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other
symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant. Do not use in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Belly pain, heartburn, cramps, diarrhea, gas.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black
color. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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