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Mefenamic acid

Mefenam, Parkakut, Parkemed · ATC code M01AG01

Also known as: Mefenaminsäure, Mefenamik asit · Brand names: Mefenam, Parkakut, Parkemed, Ponstan Forte, Rolan, Ulkarol

Key facts
Active substance
Mefenamic acid
Drug class
Fenamates
ATC code
M01AG01
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Boxed warning

Cardiovascular Risk

  • NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. Patients with cardiovascular disease or risk factors for cardiovascular disease may be at greater risk ( See WARNINGS).
  • Mefenamic acid is contraindicated for the treatment of peri-operative pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery ( See WARNINGS).

Gastrointestinal Risk

  • NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal 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 are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events ( See WARNINGS).

Key facts

Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Per the US prescribing information, it is used for mild to moderate pain for up to one week and for primary dysmenorrhea.

What it is used for

  • Relief of mild to moderate pain in patients ≥14 years of age when therapy will not exceed one week (7 days)
  • Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea

Dosing

  • Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration
  • Acute pain (≥14 years): 500 mg initially, then 250 mg every 6 hours as needed, usually not exceeding one week
  • Primary dysmenorrhea: 500 mg initially, then 250 mg every 6 hours starting with the onset of bleeding; usually not needed for more than 2 to 3 days

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to mefenamic acid
  • Asthma, urticaria or allergic-type reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs
  • Peri-operative pain in the setting of CABG surgery
  • Acute active ulceration or chronic inflammation of the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract
  • Pre-existing renal disease

Important warnings

  • Boxed warning: increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal
  • Boxed warning: serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation, at any time and without warning; elderly patients at greater risk
  • Hypertension and heart failure may develop or worsen
  • Renal toxicity, especially with heart failure, liver dysfunction, diuretics, ACE inhibitors and in the elderly
  • Serious skin reactions; stop at the first sign of rash; discontinue if signs of liver disease develop

Side effects

  • In approximately 1-10%: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, GI ulcers and bleeding
  • Also: dizziness, headache, edema, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, abnormal renal function, pruritus, rash, tinnitus

Interactions

  • Warfarin and oral anticoagulants: markedly higher risk of serious GI bleeding; monitor prothrombin time frequently
  • Lithium: raised lithium levels; watch for toxicity
  • Methotrexate: toxicity may be enhanced
  • Diuretics and ACE inhibitors: reduced effect and risk of renal toxicity
  • Magnesium hydroxide antacids: increased mefenamic acid absorption

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Avoid in late pregnancy because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

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Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • MefenamFresenius Kabi Austria Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • ParkakutGenericon Pharma Gesellschaft M.B.H. · 1 register entry
  • ParkemedPfizer Corporation Austria Ges.M.B.H. · 2 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Turkey

  • Ponstan FortePFİZER PFE İLAÇLARI A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • RolanNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • UlkarolULKAR KİMYA SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 8 more European countries
Cyprus
Aidol, Alfoxan, Ponstan Forte
France
Ponstyl
Greece
Acinic, Aidol, Algopress, Ponstan, Rafreda, Vidan
Hungary
Ponmel
Ireland
Mefac, Ponstan
Malta
Alfoxan, Mefac
Romania
Vidan
Spain
Coslan

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mefenamic Acid (Misemer Pharmaceuticals, Inc) – Prescribing Information, 2026-02-26. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d0291319-ab3e-20c8-e053-2a95a90afabb
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  4. Wikidata (CC0): ATC M01AG.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.