HPR-DS 500 mg Tablet - Price, Uses, Dosage, Side Effects ( Mefenamic Acid)

Indications

Mefenamic Acid is indicated for- Fever Toothache Headache Migraine Primary dysmenorrhoea Menorrhagia Mild to moderate pain in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis Traumatic pain Low-back pain Juvenile chronic arthritis in children etc.

Therapeutic Class

Drugs for Osteoarthritis, Drugs used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Pharmacology

Mefenamic acid, an anthranilic acid derivative, is a prototypical NSAID. It reversibly inhibits the cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, thus resulting in reduced synthesis of prostaglandin precursors. It has analgesic and antipyretic properties with minor anti-inflammatory activity.

Dosage and Administration

As with other NSAIDs, the lowest dose should be sought for each patient. Therefore, after observing the response to initial therapy with Mefenamic acid, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. Administration is by the oral route, preferably with food.Adult: A 500 mg dose should be given to adults up to three times (1.5 g total) per day.Infants over 6 months: 25 mg/kg of body weight daily in divided doses for not longer than 7 days.

Interaction

Aspirin: As other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of Mefenamic Acid and Aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.Warfarin: Mefenamic Acid can inhibit platelet aggregation and may prolong the prothrombin time in patients on warfarin therapy

Contraindications

It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Mefenamic Acid. It should not be used in patients with peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel diseases, hepatic or renal impairment. It is also contraindicated in patients, whom aspirin and/or other NSAID's have induced symptoms of bronchospasm, skin rashes etc.

Side Effects

The most frequently reported adverse experiences occurring in approximately 1-10% of patients are gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, Gl ulcers, vomiting, dizziness, abnormal renal function, pruritus, rashes.

Pregnancy And Lactation

Pregnancy: In late pregnancy, as with other NSAIDs, Mefenamic acid should be avoided because it may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. In general there are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Mefenamic acid should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus. Rated as Pregnancy Category C.Lactation: Trace amounts of Mefenamic acid may be present in breast milk. Taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother , decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug.

Precautions And Warnings

It should be administered with caution in allergic diseases especially in asthma. The treatment should be withdrawn in diarrhoea, rashes, cholestatic jaundice, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia.

Overdose Effects

Symptoms: Headache, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, GI bleeding. Rarely, diarrhoea, disorientation, excitation, coma, drowsiness, tinnitus, fainting, and occasionally convulsions. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. In acute overdosage, empty the stomach immediately by inducing emesis or by gastric lavage followed by admin of activated charcoal.

Storage Conditions

Keep away from light, store in a cool and dry place. Keep out of reach of children.

Drug Classes

Drugs for Osteoarthritis, Drugs used for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Mode of Action

Mefenamic acid contains Mefenamic Acid which is a nonsteroidal agent with demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity due to its dual action on prostaglandins. It inhibits the enzymes of prostaglandin synthetase and also antagonizes the actions of prostaglandin at the receptor sites.

Pregnancy Category

The safety of Mefenamic acid on reproductive capacity and pregnancy has not been established. Thus, mefenamic acid should be used in women of childbearing potential and during pregnancy only when the potential benefits are expected to outweigh the potential risks. Trace amounts of Mefenamic acid may be present in breast milk and transmitted to the nursing infant. Thus Mefenamic acid should not be taken by the nursing mother because of the effects of this class of drugs on the infant's cardiovascular system.

HPR-DS 500 mg

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