What are Mefenamic acid tablets used for?

Doctors often give medicines that are not steroid-based because steroids can have general side effects.
One type of medicine that is not steroid-based is Mefenamic acid.

Mefenamic acid tablets are not only non-steroidal but also belong to the group of medicines called NSAIDs, which stand for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
These tablets are commonly prescribed by doctors for treating mild to moderate pain, menstrual cramps, and other similar conditions.

If you are trying to understand whether you should take Mefenamic acid tablets, this article will explain why you might need this medicine, how it works, what it is used for, its side effects, and other important information.


Why do you need Mefenamic acid tablets?


Doctors often prescribe Mefenamic acid tablets to treat mild to severe menstrual cramps and other health issues.
This medicine is usually used for pain relief, so it can be helpful if you are dealing with problems like headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, tooth pain, and more.

You should take these tablets to help relieve pain symptoms.
This is because the tablets help block certain chemicals in the body that are responsible for pain, inflammation, swelling, and fever. The medicine usually works by stopping the body from making a substance that causes these symptoms.

How do you take Mefenamic acid tablets?


Mefenamic acid tablets can be taken by mouth to help with mild to moderate pain, including menstrual pain.
Healthcare professionals usually advise taking this medicine with food every 6 hours as needed for your symptoms, and it can be taken for up to a week. While taking this medicine, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions to avoid any harmful effects on your health.

How do Mefenamic acid tablets help reduce pain?


To understand how Mefenamic acid works, it's important to know that the medicine binds to the COX-1 and COX-2 receptors, which are involved in the production of substances that cause pain, inflammation, and fever.
By blocking these receptors, the medicine helps reduce pain symptoms temporarily.

When you take Mefenamic acid, the medicine is processed in the body by an enzyme called CYP2C9, which converts it into 3-hydroxymethyl mefenamic acid and then into 3-carboxymefenamic acid.
The exact role of these metabolites is not fully understood, but they are believed to help reduce pain symptoms.