Drug interactions
Budesonide + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide and Mefenamic acid: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Using a corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of GI ulceration and bleeding. Budesonide's lower systemic exposure may reduce but does not remove this risk, especially with oral formulations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide and Mefenamic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Budesonide belongs to Respiratory; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects: NSAID prostaglandin inhibition reduces mucosal protection while corticosteroids impair mucosal repair.
What to do
Limit mefenamic acid to the shortest possible course and consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at higher GI risk. Monitor for signs of GI bleeding.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Budesonide
Other interactions of Mefenamic acid
- Ketorolac intranasal + Mefenamic acid Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Mefenamic acid Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Mefenamic acid Major
- Alteplase + Mefenamic acid Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide and Mefenamic acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Using a corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of GI ulceration and bleeding. Budesonide's lower systemic exposure may reduce but does not remove this risk, especially with oral formulations.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide and Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit mefenamic acid to the shortest possible course and consider a proton pump inhibitor in patients at higher GI risk. Monitor for signs of GI bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Budesonide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Budesonide with, for example, Aldesleukin, Atazanavir, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Budesonide page.
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