Ácido mefenámico para el dolor y la inflamación

About mefenamic acid

Analgésicos antiinflamatorios 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 artritis, pain associated with hemorragias menstruales abundantes, 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.

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 alguna vez has tenido una úlcera gástrica o duodenal, o si tienes un trastorno inflamatorio intestinal como la enfermedad de Crohn o la colitis ulcerosa.

• Si tienes asma u otro trastorno alérgico.

• Si estás embarazada, intentando concebir o amamantando.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tu hígado, o si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

• Si tienes una afección cardíaca o un problema con tus vasos sanguíneos o circulación.

• Si tienes presión arterial alta.

• If you have any blood clotting problems.

• Si tienes epilepsia.

• Si tienes niveles altos de azúcar en sangre o colesterol.

• Si tienes un trastorno del tejido conectivo como el lupus eritematoso sistémico. Esta es una condición inflamatoria que también se llama lupus o LES.

• Si tienes un trastorno sanguíneo hereditario raro llamado porfiria.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a cualquier otro AINE (como aspirina, ibuprofeno, diclofenaco e indometacina), o a cualquier otro medicamento.

• 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.

• 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.

• Se sabe que existe un pequeño aumento del riesgo de problemas cardíacos y vasculares en personas que toman algunos analgésicos antiinflamatorios a largo plazo. Su médico le explicará esto y le recetará la dosis más baja adecuada durante el menor tiempo posible para reducir el riesgo. No tome más de la dosis recomendada.

• 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 vas a someterte a una operación o tratamiento dental, informa a la persona que realiza el tratamiento sobre los medicamentos que estás tomando.

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.

Importante: 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 tienes alguna dificultad para respirar, como sibilancias o falta de aliento.

• Si tienes algún signo de una reacción alérgica, como hinchazón alrededor de la boca o la cara, o una erupción cutánea con picazón.

• If you pass blood or black stools, bring up (vomit) blood, or have severe stomach pains.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse al medicamento, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.