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Patient Information for Generic Ponstan
Mefenamic Acid (me-fe-NAM-ik AS-id)
Generic Ponstan treats pain, including menstrual pain. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Brand Name(s):Ponstel There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When Generic Ponstan Should Not Be Used: You should not use Generic Ponstan if you have had an allergic reaction to mefenamic acid, aspirin, or other pain and arthritis medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Vioxx®. The reaction may have included wheezing or trouble breathing, hives, rash, or swelling in your face. Generic Ponstan should not be given to a child under 14 years old. You should not use Generic Ponstan if you have kidney disease or inflammation or ulcers in the stomach or intestines. Do not use Generic Ponstan right before or right after having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), a type of heart surgery.How to Use Generic Ponstan: Capsule Generic Ponstan should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information. Your doctor will tell you how much of Generic Ponstan to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. It is best to take Generic Ponstan with food or milk so it does not upset your stomach. Use Generic Ponstan for the shortest time possible and in the smallest dose possible. This will help lower the risk of side effects. If a dose is missed: If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra Generic Ponstan to make up for a missed dose.
Storage and Disposal of Generic Ponstan: Store Generic Ponstan in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated Generic Ponstan or medicine no longer needed. Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone. Drugs and Foods to Avoid: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or a steroid such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Orapred®. Tell your doctor if you are using methotrexate (Trexall®), or a diuretic ("water pill") such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using fluconazole (Diflucan®), lithium, lovastatin (Mevacor®), trimethoprim, or an antacid such as milk of magnesia, Maalox®, or Mylanta®. Tell your doctor if you are using a blood pressure medicine such as captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Mavik®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Zestoretic®, or Zestril®. Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®.
Warnings While Using Generic Ponstan: Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of ulcers or other stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you have bleeding problems, liver disease, or kidney disease. Make sure your doctor knows if you have asthma, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart or circulation problems. This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use Generic Ponstan for a long time might also have a higher risk. Generic Ponstan may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner). You should not use Generic Ponstan for more than 7 days unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using Generic Ponstan. Be sure to keep all appointments. Generic Ponstan may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Generic Ponstan. Generic Ponstan may affect the results of certain medical tests. Possible Side Effects While Using Generic Ponstan: Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects: Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing; blistering, peeling, red skin rash; bloody or black, tarry stools; change in how much or how often you urinate; chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood; dark-colored urine or pale stools; flu-like symptoms; numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body; pain in your lower leg (calf); problems with vision, speech, or walking; shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin; sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness; sudden or severe headache; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness; vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor: Constipation or diarrhea; headache, dizziness, or weakness; indigestion or gas; mild heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; problems with your vision; rapid weight gain, or unexpected weight loss; ringing in your ears.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Generic Ponstan, tell your doctor.
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