Mefenamic Acid: Effective Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual cramps, every women’s nightmare no more!

Menstrual pain generally occurs due to contraction of the uterus; it is a painful condition but not cause any harm to you.

Do not bother about it!

It is a part of you only and is essential, so accept it and get on with it.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the class of drugs that reduces pain, decreases fever and inflammation within the body. They work mainly by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-1 and COX-2). Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that is responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins within the body cells (mediators of pain, fever and inflammation).

Mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic acid is an anthranilic acid derivative a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) having analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain associated with menstruation.

USFDA approved mefenamic acid in 1960 for the safe and effective treatment of dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramp). Currently, it is widely available as generic medications.

How does mefenamic acid work?

Mefenamic acid shows antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme (both COX-1 and COX-2). The COX enzyme is responsible for the production of prostaglandins within the body cells.

There are mainly two classes of COX enzyme COX-1 and COX-2

• Both COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme facilitate the production of prostaglandins that cause pain, inflammation and fever.

• Whereas, the prostaglandins produced mainly by COX-1 enzyme support blood clotting functions of platelets and protect the stomach lining from gastric acid.

Therapeutic uses:

Mefenamic acid is used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain conditions, especially dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). Also used to treat menstruation associated migraine pain.

Primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) is a natural process of menstruation. During menstruation, the release of prostaglandins (a hormone that causes contraction of uterus) increases resulting pain and cramps in bladder region.

Side effects related to Mefenamic acid:

USFDA approves mefenamic acid as a safe and effective NSAIDs for the treatment of mild to a moderate pain condition. Along with therapeutic benefits, almost every drug can cause some unwanted effects, although not everyone gets them.

The side effects related to mefenamic acid are:

Common side effects

headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness and rashes.

Severe side effects are 

• Stomach problem (ulcer or bleeding) – the possible symptoms may include stomach pain, stomach upset, hematemesis (vomiting blood) and black sticky stools.

• Risk of heart attack or stroke – symptoms may include chest pain, slurred speech and shortness of breath.

• Liver problem – symptoms may include yellowing of skin and eyes, flu-like symptoms (fever, chills and body aches) and tiredness.

• Severe allergic reaction – symptoms may include blistering, redness and peeling of the skin.

Dose-related information:

• Mefenamic acid is a prescription medication (schedule H drug) take the amount of dose as per the prescription of your doctor.

• The recommended initial dose in adults ≥ 14 years of age is 500 mg, followed by 250 mg at every 6 hours as per need for not more than one week.

• For the effective treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), the recommended initial dose is 500 mg, followed by 250 mg every 6 hours.

• If you forget to take your usual dose, then leave out the missed dose and take the next dose of medication as per your routine.

• Never take a dose higher or 2 doses at the same time.

• Mefenamic acid can be taken either with food, milk or antacids.

Contraindication/ warning:

The response of the body towards Mefenamic acid varies from person-to-person. High dose and long term use of medication make people more prone to severe side effects. It is important to know what precautions you should follow while taking mefenamic acid.

• Do not take mefenamic acid if you have prior episodes of an allergic reaction.

• Mefenamic acid is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding because it cause patent ductus arteriosus (short blood vessel) in neonates.

• Mefenamic acid should not be taken if you have prior history of medical conditions such as blood disorder (anaemia), asthma, kidney disease, liver disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes (high blood sugar), gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcer, recent heart bypass surgery and heart disease (history of heart attack).

• Before having any surgery tell your doctor that you are using mefenamic acid.

• Do not use alcoholic beverages and stop smoking during treatment with mefenamic acid as it increases the risk of stomach bleeding, dizziness and drowsiness.

• Mefenamic acid increases the sensitivity of skin towards the sun hence use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going outside.

Concluding, Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) having analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory property. USFDA has approved mefenamic acid as an effective and safe drug for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

Mefenamic acid, in combination with Dicyclomine HCl (DRMEF-D) by Dr Best Pharmacy, is used for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. You can easily get this medicine from online pharmacy 24 hours with a massive discount of up to 80 %.

Dr Best Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd is continuously working to provide a premium quality healthcare products in different therapeutic segments such as analgesics, antibiotics, lipid profile management, cardiovascular agents, OTC products, gastrointestinal agents, anti-diabetic and vitamins.