Drug interactions
Mefenamic acid + Vancomycin
Severity: Moderate
Mefenamic acid and Vancomycin: 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
NSAIDs can reduce vancomycin clearance, an effect described mainly in neonates. NSAIDs can also impair renal function, adding to vancomycin nephrotoxicity risk. Evidence in adults is limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefenamic acid and Vancomycin 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; Vancomycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandins reduces glomerular filtration and vancomycin elimination.
What to do
Monitor vancomycin trough or AUC and serum creatinine. Avoid concurrent NSAIDs in neonates and patients 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?
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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
Other interactions of Vancomycin
- Amikacin + Vancomycin Major
- Bacitracin + Vancomycin Major
- Capreomycin + Vancomycin Major
- Cephaloridine + Vancomycin Major
- Cidofovir + Vancomycin Major
- Cisplatin + Vancomycin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefenamic acid with Vancomycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mefenamic acid and Vancomycin 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. NSAIDs can reduce vancomycin clearance, an effect described mainly in neonates. NSAIDs can also impair renal function, adding to vancomycin nephrotoxicity risk. Evidence in adults is limited.
How serious is the interaction between Mefenamic acid and Vancomycin?
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 vancomycin trough or AUC and serum creatinine. Avoid concurrent NSAIDs in neonates and patients 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.
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