Ponstel (Mefenamic Acid)

(℞) Prescription Required - Mefenamic Acid is the Generic Equivalent of Ponstan

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Mefenamic 250mg

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: AA Pharma Inc.
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Mefenamic 250mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by AA Pharma Inc.
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Mefenamic Acid 250mg

Product of India
Manufactured by: Bluecross
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Mefenamic Acid 250mg
Product of India
Manufactured by Bluecross
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Mefenamic Acid 500mg

Product of India
Manufactured by: Bluecross
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Mefenamic Acid 500mg
Product of India
Manufactured by Bluecross
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Ponstel (Mefenamic Acid) Dosage and Side Effects

PONSTEL works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. PONSTEL is also used to treat menstrual pain.

Proper Use of this medication

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.

PONSTEL should not be used for longer than 7 days. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

PONSTEL can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using PONSTEL.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose; wheezing or trouble breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.

Stop using PONSTEL and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
  • shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
  • swelling or rapid weight gain;
  • signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • kidney problems--little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
  • low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
  • severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting;
  • diarrhea, constipation, gas;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • itching, skin rash; or
  • ringing in your ears.

Warnings and Precautions

PONSTEL can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

PONSTEL may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using PONSTEL, especially in older adults.

You should not take PONSTEL if you already have stomach bleeding or an active ulcer, or a bowel disorder such as ulcerative colitis, or if you have kidney disease.

You should not use PONSTEL if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • an active ulcer or stomach bleeding;
  • a bowel disorder such as ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease;
  • kidney disease; or
  • a history of asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure PONSTEL is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
  • a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
  • a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
  • asthma;
  • fluid retention; or
  • liver disease.

Taking PONSTEL during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

PONSTEL can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

PONSTEL is not approved for use by anyone younger than 14 years old.

Interactions with this medication

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Avoid taking aspirin while you are taking PONSTEL.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other medicines similar to PONSTEL. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.

Ask your doctor before using PONSTEL if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • lithium;
  • methotrexate;
  • antacids such as Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids;
  • a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or
  • steroid medicine (such as prednisone).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with PONSTEL, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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