Description
Meclofenamate is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce fever, relieve mild to moderate pain or symptoms of arthritis (eg, juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), or treat menstrual pain or bleeding. It is also used to relieve the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, painful shoulder (eg, acute subacromial bursitis, supraspinatus tendinitis), or gouty arthritis.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Capsule
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of meclofenamate in children younger than 14 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of meclofenamate in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, stomach, or bowel problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving meclofenamate.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Ketorolac
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acenocoumarol
- Amiloride
- Amineptine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Apixaban
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Balsalazide
- Bemetizide
- Bemiparin
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Benzthiazide
- Betrixaban
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Budesonide
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Cangrelor
- Celecoxib
- Certoparin
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clomipramine
- Clonixin
- Clopamide
- Clopidogrel
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Atenolol
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Benazepril
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Candesartan
- Captopril
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Eprosartan
- Esmolol
- Fosinopril
- Irbesartan
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Lisinopril
- Losartan
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Moexipril
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Olmesartan
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Perindopril
- Pindolol
- Propranolol
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Sotalol
- Spirapril
- Telmisartan
- Timolol
- Trandolapril
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Anemia or
- Asthma or
- Bleeding problems or
- Congestive heart failure or
- Edema (fluid retention or body swelling) or
- Heart attack, recent or history of or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease (eg, hepatitis) or
- Stomach or bowel ulcers or bleeding, history of or
- Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Aspirin-sensitive asthma or
- Aspirin (or other NSAIDs) sensitivity, history of or
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Stomach or bowel bleeding, active—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Heart surgery (eg, coronary artery bypass graft [CABG])—Should not be used to relieve pain right before or after the surgery.
Proper Use
For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than ordered by your doctor. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects. Do not change the dose or stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If this medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For mild to moderate pain:
- Adults and children 14 years of age and older—50 milligrams (mg) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For menstrual or pain or bleeding:
- Adults and children 14 years of age and older—100 milligrams (mg) 3 times a day for up to 6 days.
- Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis:
- Adults and children 14 years of age and older—200 to 400 milligrams (mg), given in 3 or 4 divided doses per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
- Children younger than 14 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For mild to moderate pain:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Using this medicine during the later part of pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may increase your risk of having blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart or blood vessel disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk. Check with your doctor right away if you have swelling and pain in your arms, legs, or stomach, chest pain, trouble breathing, loss of sensation, confusion, or problems with muscle control or speech.
This medicine may cause bleeding, perforation, or ulcers in your stomach or bowels. These problems can happen without warning signs and are more likely to occur if you have had a stomach ulcer, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, in poor health, or using certain medicines (eg, steroid medicine, blood thinner).
Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.
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.
This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores ulcers, white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
This medicine can cause worsening of your heart failure. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, or weight gain.
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.
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.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:
More common
- Diarrhea
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- passing of gas
- stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
- swelling
- vomiting
Less common
- Black, tarry stools
- blood in vomit
- constipation
- dizziness
- headache
Rare
- Back or leg pain
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- bloody nose
- bloody urine or stools
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles" , or tingling feelings
- change in vision
- chills
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- decreased amount of urine
- discouragement
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of discomfort
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- general body welling
- heavier menstrual periods
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- increased urge to urinate during the night
- inflammation of the joints
- irritability
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- red, irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth
- stomach cramps or tenderness
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- trouble breathing
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- waking to urinate at night
- watery or bloody diarrhea
- weight gain
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Some side effects 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:
Less common
- Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- hearing loss
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- weight loss
Rare
- Bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- change in taste
- decreased vision
- discharge, excessive tearing
- hair loss
- pain in the ankles or knees
- painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs
- redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
- reversible loss of color vision
- sensitivity to light
- temporary loss of vision
- throbbing pain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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