Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone 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
Systemic corticosteroids combined with NSAIDs raise the likelihood of gastric and duodenal irritation, ulceration and bleeding beyond that seen with either drug alone. The risk is greater with prolonged use, higher doses, older age or prior ulcer disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic mucosal injury: NSAIDs inhibit protective prostaglandin synthesis while corticosteroids impair mucosal healing.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and add a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or falling hemoglobin.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone 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 Hydrocortisone with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone 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. Systemic corticosteroids combined with NSAIDs raise the likelihood of gastric and duodenal irritation, ulceration and bleeding beyond that seen with either drug alone. The risk is greater with prolonged use, higher doses, older age or prior ulcer disease.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone 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: Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and add a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk. Watch for dyspepsia, melena or falling hemoglobin.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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