Acide méfénamique pour la douleur et l'inflammation

About mefenamic acid

Analgésiques anti-inflammatoires like mefenamic acid are also called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or sometimes just 'anti-inflammatories'. Mefenamic acid is used to treat painful conditions such as l'arthrite, pain associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, and pain after surgical operations.

Mefenamic acid works by blocking the effect of natural chemicals called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These enzymes help to make other chemicals in the body, called prostaglandins. Some prostaglandins are produced at sites of injury or damage, and cause pain and inflammation. By blocking the effect of COX enzymes, fewer prostaglandins are produced, which means pain and inflammation are eased.

Before taking mefenamic acid

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking mefenamic acid, it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous avez déjà eu un ulcère de l'estomac ou duodénal, ou si vous souffrez d'une maladie inflammatoire de l'intestin telle que la maladie de Crohn ou la colite ulcéreuse.

• Si vous avez de l'asthme ou tout autre trouble allergique.

• Si vous êtes enceinte, essayez d'avoir un bébé, ou allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• Si vous avez une maladie cardiaque ou un problème avec vos vaisseaux sanguins ou votre circulation.

• Si vous avez de l'hypertension.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de coagulation sanguine.

• Si vous avez de l'épilepsie.

• Si vous avez un taux élevé de sucre dans le sang ou de cholestérol.

• Si vous avez un trouble du tissu conjonctif tel que le lupus érythémateux systémique. C'est une affection inflammatoire également appelée lupus ou LES.

• Si vous avez un trouble sanguin héréditaire rare appelé porphyrie.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un autre AINS (comme l'aspirine, l'ibuprofène, le diclofénac et l'indométacine), ou à tout autre médicament.

How to take mefenamic acid

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about mefenamic acid, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take mefenamic acid exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is 500 mg, which is taken as two 250 mg capsules, or one 500 mg tablet. You will be asked to take this dose three times a day. If you are taking it for period pain, your doctor will likely suggest that you take it for a few days each month, starting on your first day of bleeding.

• Take mefenamic acid with food. This will help to protect your stomach from side-effects such as indigestion.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due, then take the dose which is due but leave out the forgotten one. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Your doctor will try to prescribe you mefenamic acid for the shortest time possible to reduce the risk of side-effects. If you need to take it over a long period of time, your doctor may want to prescribe another medicine along with it to protect your stomach from irritation.

• Try to keep any regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. It is especially important if you are taking mefenamic acid for a long-term condition.

• If you have asthma, symptoms such as wheeze or breathlessness can be made worse by anti-inflammatories. If this happens to you, you should stop taking mefenamic acid and see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Il est connu qu'il existe un petit risque accru de problèmes cardiaques et vasculaires chez les personnes prenant certains analgésiques anti-inflammatoires à long terme. Votre médecin vous expliquera cela et vous prescrira la dose la plus faible appropriée pour la durée la plus courte afin de réduire le risque. Ne prenez pas plus que la dose recommandée.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. This is because you should not take mefenamic acid with any other anti-inflammatory painkiller, some of which are available in cold and flu remedies which can be bought 'over the counter'.

• Si vous subissez une opération ou un traitement dentaire, informez la personne effectuant le traitement des médicaments que vous prenez.

Can mefenamic acid cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the more common ones associated with mefenamic acid. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience any of the following less common but possibly serious symptoms, stop taking mefenamic acid and contact your doctor for advice straightaway:

• Si vous avez des difficultés respiratoires telles que des sifflements ou un essoufflement.

• Si vous présentez des signes de réaction allergique tels qu'un gonflement autour de la bouche ou du visage, ou une éruption cutanée qui démange.

• Si vous avez des selles sanglantes ou noires, vomissez du sang, ou avez de fortes douleurs à l'estomac.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus au médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

How to store mefenamic acid

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur directe et de la lumière.
  

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments