Meclofenamate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 3, 2025.

Applies to meclofenamate: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine during the later part of pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may increase your risk of having blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart or blood vessel disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk. Check with your doctor right away if you have swelling and pain in your arms, legs, or stomach, chest pain, trouble breathing, loss of sensation, confusion, or problems with muscle control or speech.

This medicine may cause bleeding, perforation, or ulcers in your stomach or bowels. These problems can happen without warning signs and are more likely to occur if you have had a stomach ulcer, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, in poor health, or using certain medicines (eg, steroid medicine, blood thinner).

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores ulcers, white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine can cause worsening of your heart failure. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, or weight gain.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of meclofenamate

Along with its needed effects, meclofenamate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking meclofenamate:

Other side effects of meclofenamate

Some side effects of meclofenamate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to meclofenamate: compounding powder, oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal in nature and included diarrhea, nausea with or without vomiting, and abdominal pain.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 33%), nausea (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vomiting, abdominal pain, pyrosis, flatulence, constipation, stomatitis, peptic ulcer
• Frequency not reported: Colitis, bleeding, perforation, ulcer, paralytic ileus^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, urticaria, pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema nodosum, hair loss^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Paresthesia, taste disturbance^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Malaise, fatigue^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Palpitations^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, eosinophilia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Liver function tests abnormal, cholestatic jaundice^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal failure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Vision blurred, visual acuity decreased, temporary vision loss, reversible color vision loss, macular fibrosis, macular edema, perimacular edema, conjunctivitis, iritis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Nocturia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Lupus-like syndrome^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Serum sickness-like syndrome

See also:

Further information

Meclofenamate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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