Drug interactions
Dabigatran + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Major
Dabigatran and Mefenamic acid: major 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
Taking an NSAID with dabigatran increases the risk of clinically important bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding. Risk is higher in the elderly and in patients with reduced renal function.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dabigatran and Mefenamic acid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive hemostatic impairment: direct thrombin inhibition combined with NSAID platelet inhibition and gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use where possible and use paracetamol for analgesia. If unavoidable, use the shortest NSAID course, consider gastroprotection and monitor for bleeding and renal function.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Dabigatran and Mefenamic acid, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Dabigatran with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Dabigatran and Mefenamic acid can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Taking an NSAID with dabigatran increases the risk of clinically important bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal bleeding. Risk is higher in the elderly and in patients with reduced renal function.
How serious is the interaction between Dabigatran and Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use where possible and use paracetamol for analgesia. If unavoidable, use the shortest NSAID course, consider gastroprotection and monitor for bleeding and renal function.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
