Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone 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
Dexamethasone given with an NSAID increases the likelihood of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk is greatest with prolonged or high-dose therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone 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.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive gastric mucosal injury: NSAIDs reduce protective prostaglandins while corticosteroids impair mucosal healing.
What to do
Limit the duration of co-therapy and consider proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis in at-risk patients. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or other bleeding signs.
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 Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone 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. Dexamethasone given with an NSAID increases the likelihood of gastric ulceration and GI bleeding. The risk is greatest with prolonged or high-dose therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone 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 the duration of co-therapy and consider proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis in at-risk patients. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or other bleeding signs.
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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