Ponstan

Mefenamic acid is N-(2,3-xylyl)-anthranilic acid. It is an analgesic agent for oral administration.

Ponstan is a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory agent with analgesic and antipyretic activity in laboratory animals. It is non-narcotic. As with other similar agents, the precise mode of action is not known. However, mefenamic acid was found to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and to compete for binding at the prostaglandin receptor site in animal studies.

For the relief of mild to moderate pain, including muscular, traumatic and dental pain, headaches of most etiology, postoperative and postpartum pain and dysmenorrhea.
For the relief of mild to moderate pain in rheumatoid arthritis (including Still's Disease) and osteoarthritis.
Menorrhagia due to dysfunctional causes or IUD when organic pelvic pathology has been excluded.
Premenstrual syndrome presenting as physical symptoms eg, fatigue, general aches and pains, headaches, thirst and mood symptoms eg, tiredness, mood swings, dissatisfaction, irritability, pessimism and other depressive symptomatology.
Pyrexia in children.

Adults: 500 mg 3 times a day from the onset of symptoms.

Patients who have previously exhibited hypersensitivity to it.
Because the potential exists for cross-sensitivity to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mefenamic acid should not be given to patients in whom these drugs induce symptoms of bronchospasm, allergic rhinitis or urticaria.
Mefenamic acid is contraindicated in patients with upper or lower gastrointestinal ulceration or chronic inflammation. Mefenamic acid should be avoided in patients with preexisting renal disease.

Mefenamic acid, administered alone, has not been shown to affect blood-clotting mechanisms. However, a prolongation of the prothrombin time has been shown to occur when mefenamic acid is administered to patients receiving coumarin anticoagulants due to an interaction with other plasma protein-binding drugs. When mefenamic acid and coumarin anticoagulants are administered concurrently, the prothrombin time should be checked and the dosage of the anticoagulant modified accordingly. Concurrent therapy with other plasma protein-binding drugs may also necessitate a modification in dosage.
Use in Pregnancy: Safety in pregnancy has not been established.

Diarrhea occasionally occurs and has been reported within 24 hrs of starting treatment. Mefenamic acid should be discontinued immediately if diarrhea occurs.
Patients so affected are usually unable to tolerate reintroduction of mefenamic acid without recurrence of diarrhea.
A maculopapular rash has been observed following administration of mefenamic acid and in 1 patient who continued on mefenamic acid, the rash progressed to mild exfoliation of the palms and soles. These skin reactions resolved on withdrawal of the medication. The occurrence of a rash is a definite indication to withdraw medication. Patients on prolonged therapy should also be kept under surveillance with particular attention to liver dysfunction. Should this occur, therapy should be discontinued.
Temporary lowering of the white blood cell count or thrombocytopenia which may have been due to mefenamic acid has been reported. Reversible haemolytic anaemia has developed in a few patients who received mefenamic acid continuously for >1 year. Consequently, blood studies should be carried out during long-term administration.
Other reported events concurrent with mefenamic acid administration include allergic glomerulonephritis, non-oliguric renal failure (especially in the elderly), bronchospasm (in patients with a previous history of bronchial asthma or allergic disease), dizziness and drowsiness.
Note: A positive reaction in certain tests for bile in the urine of patients receiving mefenamic acid may be due to the presence of the drug or its metabolites and not to the presence of bile.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

M01AG01 - mefenamic acid ; Belongs to the class of non-steroidal antiinflammatory and antirheumatic products, fenamates.

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