Meclofenamate

MECLOMEN

Open Meclofenamate in the interactive console ↗

Pronunciation: me-kloe-fen-AM-ayt

Meclofenamate ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Meclofenamate ballicule

Meclofenamate MECLOMEN mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Meclofenamate mascot
**“Mechanic men”**
“The N said... NSAID”

What it isFenamate NSAID; arthritis, pain and dysmenorrhea.

Why this oneEffective for dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, as the fenamates generally are.

What limits itDiarrhea is notably frequent among the fenamates. Standard NSAID GI, renal and cardiovascular risk; it raises serum lithium.

Meclofenamate molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Meclofenamate

FDA-approved for

Rheumatoid arthritis (1980)
osteoarthritis (1980)
mild-to-moderate pain (1980)
dysmenorrhea (1980)

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

BOXED WARNING NSAID class: increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events (MI, stroke; may increase with duration) and serious GI bleeding, ulceration, and perforation (can occur without warning; elderly at greater risk); contraindicated in CABG surgery setting

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Mild to moderate pain	adults	50 mg q4–6h	50–100 mg q4–6h (100 mg if needed for optimal relief)	400 mg/day
Excessive menstrual blood loss & primary dysmenorrhea	adults	100 mg TID, starting at onset of menstrual flow	100 mg TID up to 6 days	400 mg/day
Rheumatoid arthritis & osteoarthritis (incl. acute exacerbations)	adults	200 mg/day in 3–4 divided doses (initiate at lower dosage)	200–400 mg/day in 3–4 divided doses, individualized	400 mg/day

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Use lowest effective dose for shortest duration consistent with treatment goals
May take with meals or milk if GI complaints occur
RA/OA: 2–3 wk may be needed for optimum benefit; a lower dose may suffice long-term
Terminate therapy if any severe adverse reaction occurs

Available strengths

cap 50, 100 mg

Contraindications

Asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs (severe, rarely fatal anaphylactic-like reactions reported)
Setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

Cautions

Serious CV thrombotic events (MI, stroke) — risk may occur early and increase with duration of use
Serious GI bleeding, ulceration, perforation — any time, without warning symptoms; elderly at greater risk
Fetal toxicity: avoid at ≥30 wk gestation; limit use at 20–30 wk (see pregnancy)

Adverse reactions

Diarrhea (10–33%, dose-related; ~4% discontinued)
Nausea/vomiting (11%)
Other GI disorders (10%)
Abdominal pain, pyrosis, flatulence (3–9%)
Rash, headache, dizziness (3–9%)
Edema, urticaria, pruritus, tinnitus
<1%: GI bleeding/perforation, peptic ulcer, renal failure, blood dyscrasias (neutropenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia), SJS/TEN/erythema multiforme, hepatic test alterations

Pregnancy Avoid at ≥30 wk gestation (premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus); limit dose/duration at 20–30 wk (oligohydramnios/fetal renal dysfunction); consider ultrasound monitoring if use >48 h at ≥20 wk

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Meclofenamate (MECLOMEN)

Strength		#/mo	generic $/unit	CostPlus
50 mg	cap	per unit		not offered
100 mg	cap	per unit		not offered

NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. Meclofenamate is dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.

⚠ BOXED WARNINGS

Cardiovascular thrombotic events
Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4

Overdose danger3 / 4

Weight-gain liability1 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk3 / 4

Defining liabilityDiarrhea, GI bleeding and renal injury

Open Meclofenamate in the interactive console ↗

Memory aids: interaction avatars

Box: minimal PK interactions

Open Meclofenamate in the interactive console ↗