Drug interactions
Mefenamic acid + Tobramycin inhaled
Severity: Moderate
Mefenamic acid and Tobramycin inhaled: 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
Inhaled tobramycin has low but measurable systemic absorption, and it can accumulate in patients with impaired renal function. NSAIDs reduce renal perfusion and may add to aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefenamic acid and Tobramycin inhaled 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.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxicity from NSAID-mediated renal vasoconstriction and aminoglycoside tubular toxicity, with higher aminoglycoside exposure when renal clearance falls.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and hearing, and avoid prolonged NSAID use in patients on inhaled tobramycin, especially with renal impairment.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Mefenamic acid and Tobramycin inhaled, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Tobramycin inhaled?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mefenamic acid and Tobramycin inhaled 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. Inhaled tobramycin has low but measurable systemic absorption, and it can accumulate in patients with impaired renal function. NSAIDs reduce renal perfusion and may add to aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Mefenamic acid and Tobramycin inhaled?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine and hearing, and avoid prolonged NSAID use in patients on inhaled tobramycin, especially with renal impairment.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
