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Ponstel Side Effects

Generic name: mefenamic acid

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 15, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Ponstel Side Effects associated with mefenamic acid. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Ponstel.

Applies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal.

This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use.

Mefenamic acid is contraindicated in the setting of CABG surgery.

NSAIDs can also cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.

These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms.

Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a long time. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, slurred speech, or weakness.

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

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.

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

Some possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual weight gain, yellow skin or eyes, decreased urination, bleeding or bruising, or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur including chest pain or tightness, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of skin, weakness, or slurring of speech. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

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.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

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

This medicine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

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

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

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 Ponstel

Along with its needed effects, mefenamic acid (the active ingredient contained in Ponstel) 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 mefenamic acid:

More common side effects

  • bloody urine
  • bloody, black, or tarry stools
  • decreased frequency or amount of urine
  • heartburn
  • increased bleeding time
  • increased blood pressure
  • increased thirst
  • indigestion
  • itching, skin rash
  • loss of appetite
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea
  • pale skin
  • severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
  • stomach bloating
  • swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
  • trouble breathing
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing
  • weight gain
  • weight loss

Less common side effects

  • bleeding gums
  • blood in vomit
  • blurred vision
  • burning feeling in the chest or stomach
  • chest pain or tightness
  • clay-colored stools
  • cloudy urine
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cough or hoarseness
  • dark urine
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • difficult, burning, or painful urination
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • dilated neck veins
  • dizziness
  • fainting
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • fever or chills
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • increased volume of pale, dilute urine
  • irregular, rapid, or slow breathing
  • irregular heartbeat
  • large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
  • light-colored stools
  • lightheadedness
  • nervousness
  • noisy breathing
  • pain or burning feeling in the throat
  • pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
  • pounding in the ears
  • redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
  • severe or continuing stomach pain
  • slow heartbeat
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
  • stomach upset
  • swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  • swollen glands
  • tenderness in the stomach area
  • tremors
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • upper right stomach pain
  • yellow eyes and skin

Rare side effects

  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • change in consciousness
  • chest discomfort
  • continuing vomiting
  • cracks in the skin
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position
  • drowsiness
  • fever with or without chills
  • flushed, dry skin
  • fruit-like breath odor
  • general body swelling
  • general feeling of illness
  • high fever
  • hives
  • increased hunger
  • joint or muscle pain
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • leg pain
  • loss of consciousness
  • loss of heat from the body
  • no blood pressure
  • no breathing
  • no pulse
  • nosebleeds
  • painful glands
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • racing heartbeat or pulse
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • red, swollen skin
  • redness or soreness of the skin
  • scaly skin
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • seizures
  • severe headache
  • sneezing
  • sores, welting, or blisters
  • stiff neck or back
  • sweating
  • swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
  • unexplained weight loss

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking mefenamic acid:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Ponstel

Some side effects of mefenamic acid 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:

More common side effects

  • continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  • excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  • feeling of fullness
  • hearing loss
  • passing gas
  • stomach discomfort

Less common side effects

  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • discouragement
  • dry mouth
  • fear
  • feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  • feeling sad or empty
  • hair loss, thinning of the hair
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • irritability
  • lack of appetite
  • lack of interest or pleasure
  • lack or loss of strength
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • sensation of spinning
  • severe sunburn
  • sleepiness
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping

Rare side effects

  • appetite changes
  • burning, dry, or itching eyes
  • change in hearing
  • discharge, excessive tearing
  • redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

For healthcare professionals

Applies to mefenamic acid: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported side effects were gastrointestinal (GI) in nature and included abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, gross bleeding/perforation, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and gastric or duodenal ulcers.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Cardiovascular

Hematologic

Cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia have been reported with continuous use of this drug for 12 months or longer. In such cases, the Coombs tests were positive for both accelerated RBC production and destruction. The process was reversible upon discontinuation of therapy.[Ref]

Metabolic

Nervous system

Respiratory

Dermatologic

Hepatic

Ocular

Genitourinary

Renal

Psychiatric

Hypersensitivity

Other

See also:

References

1. (2006) "Product Information. Ponstel (mefenamic acid)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

4. MHRA. Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency (2013) MHRA Drug Safety Update. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/DrugSafetyUpdate

Further information

Ponstel 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.