Ponstel/Mefenamic acid IS USED FOR:

Treating menstrual pain. It may be used for short term (not more than 7 days) treatment of mild to moderate pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel is an NSAID. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block certain substances in the body that are linked to inflammation. NSAIDs treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation. They do not treat the disease that causes those symptoms.

BEFORE USING Ponstel/Mefenamic acid :

Some medical conditions may interact with Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you have a history of swelling or fluid buildup, asthma, growths in the nose (nasal polyps), or mouth inflammation
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of liver disease, diabetes, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, perforation, ulcers)
• if you have high blood pressure, blood disorders (eg, porphyria), bleeding or clotting problems, heart problems (eg, heart failure), or blood vessel disease, or if you are at risk for any of these diseases
• if you have poor health, dehydration or low fluid volume, or low blood sodium levels, you drink alcohol, or you have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin/Coumadin), aspirin, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone/Sterapred), heparin, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine/Rapiflux) because the risk of stomach bleeding may be increased
• Magnesium hydroxide (eg, antacids) or probenecid/Probalan because they may increase the risk of Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel 's side effects
• Cyclosporine/Sandimmune, lithium/Lithobid, methotrexate/Rheumatrex, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin/Cipro), or sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide/Glucotrol) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril ) or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Ponstel/Mefenamic acid :

Use Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL) as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
• Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel refilled.
• Take Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel by mouth. It may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Taking it with food may not lower the risk of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcers). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have persistent stomach upset.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel .

DO NOT USE Ponstel/Mefenamic acid IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel
• you have kidney problems, ulcers, or inflammation of the stomach or bowel
• you have recently had or will be having bypass heart surgery
• you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, trouble breathing, growths in the nose, dizziness) to aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (eg, ibuprofen/Motrin, celecoxib/Celebrex)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Ponstel/Mefenamic acid :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Lab tests, including kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially stomach bleeding and kidney problems.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Serious stomach ulcers or bleeding can occur with the use of Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel . Taking it in high doses or for a long time, smoking, or drinking alcohol increases the risk of these side effects. Taking Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel with food will NOT reduce the risk of these effects. Contact your doctor or emergency room at once if you develop severe stomach or back pain; black, tarry stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds; or unusual weight gain or swelling.
• Do not take aspirin while you are using Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel unless your doctor tells you to.
• Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know that you take Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel .
• Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel may cause harm to the fetus. Do not use it during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel while you are pregnant. Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel .
• Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel is an NSAID. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has an NSAID (eg, ibuprofen) in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Mefenamic Acid/Ponstel should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 14 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.