Mefenamic acid Side Effects

Some side effects of mefenamic acid may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking mefenamic acid: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking mefenamic acid and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• pain, burning, or bleeding when you urinate;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

• bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness.

Less serious side effects of mefenamic acid may include:

• upset stomach, mild heartburn or stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation; bloating, gas;

• dizziness, headache, nervousness;

• skin itching or rash;

• dry mouth;

• increased sweating, runny nose;

• blurred vision; or

• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, GI ulcers (gastric/duodenal), and vomiting. Dry mouth, esophagitis, gastritis, glossitis, melena, rectal bleeding, and hematemesis have also been reported. Eructation, appetite changes, and pancreatitis have been reported rarely.

General

General side effects have included edema, tinnitus, fever, infection, and sepsis. Hearing loss and death have been reported rarely.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included congestive heart failure, hypertension, tachycardia, and syncope. Arrhythmia, hypotension, myocardial infarction, palpitations, and vasculitis have also been reported.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included anemia, increased bleeding time, ecchymosis, eosinophilia, leukopenia, purpura, and thrombocytopenia. Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, lymphadenopathy, and pancytopenia have been reported rarely.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included weight changes. Hyperglycemia has been reported rarely.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included dizziness, headaches, asthenia, confusion, drowsiness, insomnia, malaise, somnolence, paresthesia, tremors, and vertigo. Convulsions, coma, hallucinations, and meningitis have been reported rarely.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included asthma and dyspnea. Respiratory depression and pneumonia have been reported rarely.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus, rashes, alopecia, and photosensitivity. Angioedema, toxic epidermal necrosis, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and urticaria have been reported rarely.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis, and jaundice. Liver failure has been reported rarely.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included blurred vision. Conjunctivitis has been reported rarely.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, interstitial nephritis, oliguria/polyuria, and proteinuria.

Renal

Renal side effects have included abnormal renal function and renal failure.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included anxiety, depression, dream abnormalities, and nervousness.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have rarely included anaphylaxis.

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