Meclofenamate
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Meclofenamate is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation
(swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis. It also is used to relieve other types of
pain, including muscle and menstrual pain and pain after surgery, dental work, or
childbirth. It also may be used for heavy menstrual blood loss.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Meclofenamate be used?
Meclofenamate comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken
three or four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and
ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take
meclofenamate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often
than prescribed by your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking meclofenamate,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to meclofenamate, aspirin or other
medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune),
diuretics ('water pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid),
medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol
(Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney disease; high
blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other gastrointestinal disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking meclofenamate, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking meclofenamate.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate
machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do not drink
alcohol while taking this medication.
What side effects can Meclofenamate cause?
Although side effects from meclofenamate are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dizziness
- nervousness
- upset stomach
- stomach pain or cramps
- vomiting
- gas
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- diarrhea
- bloody vomit
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- skin rash
- itching
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