Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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
Mefenamic acid can impair renal potassium excretion and renal function, while drospirenone adds anti-mineralocorticoid effects. Hyperkalemia is possible with chronic use or in renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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.
Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone belongs to Endocrine; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive potassium retention from NSAID suppression of renal prostaglandins and drospirenone aldosterone antagonism.
What to do
For regular use, check serum potassium in the first cycle. Short courses for dysmenorrhea generally need no monitoring.
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 Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Tranexamic acid Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Major
- Amobarbital + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Major
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 Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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. Mefenamic acid can impair renal potassium excretion and renal function, while drospirenone adds anti-mineralocorticoid effects. Hyperkalemia is possible with chronic use or in renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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: For regular use, check serum potassium in the first cycle. Short courses for dysmenorrhea generally need no monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone with, for example, Fezolinetant, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir. The full list is on the Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone page.
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