Drug interactions
Mefenamic acid + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Mefenamic acid and Prednisone: 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
Combining a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID raises the risk of gastric and duodenal irritation, ulceration and bleeding beyond that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients, those with prior ulcer disease and with prolonged or high-dose use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefenamic acid and Prednisone 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 belongs to Musculoskeletal; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic mucosal injury: NSAIDs inhibit protective prostaglandin synthesis while corticosteroids impair mucosal healing and repair.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and consider adding a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Monitor for dyspepsia, melena or anemia.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone 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 Mefenamic acid with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mefenamic acid and Prednisone 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. Combining a systemic corticosteroid with an NSAID raises the risk of gastric and duodenal irritation, ulceration and bleeding beyond that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients, those with prior ulcer disease and with prolonged or high-dose use.
How serious is the interaction between Mefenamic acid and Prednisone?
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 consider adding a proton pump inhibitor in at-risk patients. Monitor for dyspepsia, melena or anemia.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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