Drug interactions
Mefenamic acid + Reteplase
Severity: Major
Mefenamic acid and Reteplase: 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
Reteplase is a thrombolytic, and drugs that impair platelet function such as NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious bleeding. The risk is highest around the time of thrombolysis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefenamic acid and Reteplase 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: NSAID-induced platelet dysfunction and gastric mucosal injury combined with fibrinolysis.
What to do
Avoid giving NSAIDs around thrombolytic therapy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Monitor closely for bleeding, including at puncture sites and in the gastrointestinal tract.
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?
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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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefenamic acid with Reteplase?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Mefenamic acid and Reteplase 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. Reteplase is a thrombolytic, and drugs that impair platelet function such as NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious bleeding. The risk is highest around the time of thrombolysis.
How serious is the interaction between Mefenamic acid and Reteplase?
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 giving NSAIDs around thrombolytic therapy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Monitor closely for bleeding, including at puncture sites and in the gastrointestinal tract.
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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