Product Details

What you need to know before you take Mefenamic Acid Suspension

Do not take Mefenamic Acid Suspension – if you are allergic to mefenamic acid, to any other anti-inflammatory medicines (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib), or to any of the other ingredients (listed in section 6) – if you have, or have ever had, stomach or intestinal conditions such as peptic ulcer, bleeding in the stomach or severe gastritis – if you have an inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) – if you have severe heart, liver or kidney problems – if you have just had heart bypass surgery – if you are more than 6 months pregnant. If any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Mefenamic Acid Suspension: – if you are taking any other NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac) – if you are taking any other anti-inflammatory medicines including steroids (e.g. prednisolone) – if you are taking aspirin or medicines that thin the blood (e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel) – if you are taking antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g. paroxetine) 146/L/h/1 2 – if you have kidney or liver problems. Your doctor may check your kidney or liver function before and during treatment – if you are elderly (see section 3) – if you are trying to become pregnant (see section on Fertility) – if you have stomach or digestive tract problems or if you ever had an upset stomach after taking pain killers such as aspirin. Bleeding in the stomach or gut can occur in patients taking Mefenamic Acid – if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are going to have a major operation. Mefenamic Acid can affect the clotting of your blood. It can make you bleed more and for longer than usual – if you have asthma, or a history of asthma, as this medicine may cause breathing difficulties – if you have a connective tissue disorder, e.g. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – if you have epilepsy – if you are dehydrated (thirsty with dry skin, dark urine, dry mouth, headache) – if you have heart problems, previous stroke or think that you might be at risk of these conditions (e.g. if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol or are a smoker). Additional monitoring may be carried out by your doctor. Medicines such as Mefenamic Acid may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with high doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment. Other medicines and Mefenamic Acid Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines may be affected by Mefenamic Acid or they may affect how well Mefenamic Acid will work. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking: – medicines that can increase the chance of getting ulcers or a bleed in the stomach or gut, such as: – corticosteroids used to treat arthritis and inflammation – medicines such as anti-platelet agents, used to thin the blood (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) – antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g. paroxetine) – any other anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g. diclofenac, celecoxib) – aspirin including low doses of aspirin used to prevent your blood from clotting in certain heart conditions – medicines used for high blood pressure (e.g. atenolol, ramipril, valsartan) – diuretics (water tablets) or heart medicines (e.g. digoxin, sotalol, diltiazem) – some diabetic medicines (e.g. glipizide, glibenclamide) – medicines which suppress the immune system (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus, methotrexate) – lithium, a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depression – a medicine usually prescribed through hospitals, called mifepristone (taken within the last 12 days) – quinolone antibiotics (antibiotics used to treat infections) – aminoglycoside antibiotics, used under medical supervision in hospitals – zidovudine, a medicine used for HIV – probenecid, a medicine used in special cases, to protect the kidneys – medicines which bind to protein in the blood – (check with your pharmacist). Blood tests Your doctor may test your blood during treatment. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. 146/L/h/1 3 Pregnancy Mefenamic acid will be passed to your unborn baby. It is not known how much it will affect your unborn baby in the first 6 months of pregnancy. DO NOT take the suspension in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may delay the onset of labour and prolong its duration. It may also increase the likelihood of bleeding in the mother and in the baby. If you need to take this suspension, your doctor can help you decide whether or not to take it during the first 6 months of pregnancy. Breast-feeding Mefenamic acid passes into breast milk and can affect the baby. You should not take the suspension while breast-feeding unless advised by your doctor. Fertility DO NOT take the suspension if you are trying to become pregnant, as it may make it more difficult to get pregnant. You should inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or if you have problems becoming pregnant. Driving and using machines Mefenamic acid may cause drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue or affect your vision. If any of these occur do not drive, use machinery, or perform any tasks that may require you to be alert. Mefenamic Acid Suspension contains: – Ethanol (alcohol) This medicine contains 26 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each 5 ml suspension which is equivalent to 5.2 mg/ml. The amount in 5 ml of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or 1 ml wine. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. – Propylene glycol (E 1520) This medicine contains 11 mg propylene glycol (E 1520) in each 5 ml suspension which is equivalent to 2.15 mg/ml. If your baby is less than 4 weeks old, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving them this medicine, in particular if the baby is given other medicines that contain propylene glycol or alcohol. – Sodium This medicine contains 14 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each 5 ml suspension. This is equivalent to 0.68% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. – Sodium Benzoate (E 211) This medicine contains 25 mg sodium benzoate (E 211) in each 5 ml suspension which is equivalent to 5 mg/ml. Sodium benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old). – Sorbitol (E 420) This medicine contains 530 mg sorbitol (E 420) in each 5 ml suspension which is equivalent to 106 mg/ml. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. If your doctor has told you that you (or your child) have an intolerance to some sugars or if you have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder in which a person cannot break down fructose, talk to your doctor before you (or your child) take or receive this medicine. Sorbitol may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and mild laxative effect. – Sucrose Contains 1 g of sucrose per 5 ml suspension. This should be taken into account in patients with diabetes mellitus. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. May be harmful to your teeth.