Mefenamic Acid Uses

A number of conditions related to pain and inflammation can be treated with mefenamic acid. The drug may also be used for the treatment of painful menstrual periods and general pain relief, including pain caused by bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation. Uses for mefenamic acid are approved for people 14 years of age and older.

 

What Is Mefenamic Acid Used For?

Mefenamic acid (Ponstel®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain and inflammation.
 
Specific uses for mefenamic acid include:
 
  • Pain relief, such as for pain following a medical procedure, from straining a muscle, or from inflammation in a tendon (tendonitis) or bursa (bursitis). Mefenamic acid can also be used to treat general pain, such as knee pain, lower back pain, or neck pain. For both of these cases, the drug is used to treat short-term pain that is not expected to last more than one week.
     
  • Relief of painful menstrual periods.
     

How Does It Work?

Mefenamic acid and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones, called prostaglandins, that cause inflammation and pain in the body. By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, mefenamic acid is useful at reducing pain related to bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation.
 

Using Mefenamic Acid in Children

Mefenamic acid is licensed for use in children 14 years of age and older.
 

Off-Label Mefenamic Acid Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend mefenamic acid for treating something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label uses for mefenamic acid.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;