Drug interactions
Chlorpropamide + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpropamide 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
NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Chlorpropamide has a long half-life, so hypoglycemia can be prolonged.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpropamide 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.
Chlorpropamide belongs to Endocrine; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Possible displacement of the sulfonylurea from plasma protein binding and/or CYP2C9 competition, with prostaglandin-related effects on insulin secretion; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting or stopping mefenamic acid and educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the chlorpropamide dose if glucose falls.
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 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
Other interactions of Chlorpropamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpropamide with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpropamide 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. NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid may enhance the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Chlorpropamide has a long half-life, so hypoglycemia can be prolonged.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpropamide 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: Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting or stopping mefenamic acid and educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms. Reduce the chlorpropamide dose if glucose falls.
What other medicines interact with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mefenamic acid with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Mefenamic acid page.
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