Mefenamic acid 500 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) – one of the most effective painkillers for menstrual cramps; Heavy menstrual bleeding – also reduces blood loss modestly.
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.59 to ₹4.69 per tablet across 5 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mefenamic Acid Tablets 500 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹15.94 | ₹1.59 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mefacid 500 | Floreat Medica Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹22.50 | ₹2.25 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mef Plus 500 | Que Pharma Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹26.97 | ₹2.70 | 19 October 2026 |
| Meftal 500 | Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd | 10 | ₹31.87 | ₹3.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Mef 500 | Lemford Biotech Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹46.88 | ₹4.69 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) – one of the most effective painkillers for menstrual cramps.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding – also reduces blood loss modestly.
- Mild to moderate pain – headache, toothache, muscle and joint pain, pain after minor surgery.
- Fever and pain in children, as a syrup, when prescribed.
How to take it
Take one 500 mg tablet with or just after food, with a full glass of water, usually three times a day only while the pain lasts. For period pain, start at the first sign of pain or bleeding and continue for 2 to 3 days – it works better when started early. Do not take it for more than 7 days without seeing a doctor, and never on an empty stomach. Stop and see a doctor if you get black stools, vomit blood, develop diarrhoea or a rash. It is a short-course painkiller, not a daily medicine.
Side effects
Common
- Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea.
- Diarrhoea – more than with other NSAIDs; stop if it occurs.
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness.
- Ringing in the ears.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer – black tarry stools, vomiting blood, severe stomach pain.
- Severe allergic or skin reaction – wheezing, swelling of the face, blistering rash.
- Kidney injury – passing less urine, swelling of ankles – especially if dehydrated or elderly.
- Heart attack or stroke risk with high doses or long use in people with heart disease.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol – it increases the risk of stomach bleeding with mefenamic acid.
Pregnancy
Do not take in the last 3 months of pregnancy (it can harm the baby's heart and kidneys and delay labour); avoid earlier in pregnancy unless your doctor advises. Small amounts pass into breast milk; ask your doctor.
Kidney problems
Avoid in significant kidney disease; NSAIDs reduce kidney blood flow. Drink enough water and avoid it during dehydration, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Liver problems
Use with care in liver disease; stop if you notice jaundice.
Children
Mefenamic acid syrup is used in children for fever and pain only at a doctor-prescribed weight-based dose; the 500 mg tablet is for adults and adolescents.
Missed dose
It is usually taken only when needed. If on a schedule, take it when you remember with food, unless the next dose is nearly due. Never double.
Interactions
- Other NSAIDs and aspirin – ibuprofen, diclofenac, aceclofenac, naproxen – do not combine; stomach bleeding and kidney risk add up.
- Blood thinners – warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel – higher bleeding risk.
- Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors like ramipril, ARBs like telmisartan) and diuretics – NSAIDs blunt their effect and strain the kidneys.
- Lithium, methotrexate, digoxin – levels can rise.
- Steroids (prednisolone) and SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram) – more stomach bleeding.
- Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) – rare risk of seizures when combined.
Frequently asked questions
What is Meftal 500 used for?
Meftal 500 contains mefenamic acid, an NSAID painkiller. It is especially effective for period pain and heavy periods, and is also used for headache, toothache, muscle pain and fever in short courses.
Meftal 500 vs Meftal Spas – what is the difference?
Meftal 500 is plain mefenamic acid 500 mg. Meftal Spas adds dicyclomine, an antispasmodic that relaxes cramping gut and uterine muscle, so it is used for colicky period cramps and stomach cramps. For pain without spasm, Meftal 500 is enough; do not take both together.
Should I take Meftal 500 before or after food?
Always with or immediately after food, with a full glass of water. On an empty stomach it causes stomach pain, acidity and raises the risk of ulcers and bleeding.
How many Meftal 500 tablets can I take in a day?
The usual adult dose is one tablet up to three times a day, for the shortest time needed – generally not more than 7 days without a doctor. Do not increase the dose for stronger pain; see a doctor instead.
Can I take Meftal 500 with Dolo 650?
Paracetamol (Dolo) and mefenamic acid work differently and are sometimes combined by doctors for short periods. Do not do this routinely on your own, and never combine Meftal with another NSAID such as ibuprofen (Brufen), diclofenac or aspirin.
Is Meftal 500 safe in pregnancy?
No, especially in the last three months, when NSAIDs can harm the baby's heart and kidneys and delay labour. Ask your gynaecologist about paracetamol instead. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Why does Meftal cause loose motions?
Diarrhoea is a known side effect of mefenamic acid, more so than with other NSAIDs. If it happens, stop the tablet and use an alternative painkiller your doctor recommends.
Can Meftal 500 be given to children for fever?
Not the 500 mg tablet. Mefenamic acid syrup is sometimes prescribed for children's fever at a weight-based dose, but paracetamol is the usual first choice. Never give adult tablets to children, and avoid NSAIDs in a child who is dehydrated or may have dengue.
Can I take Meftal if I have dengue?
No. In dengue, NSAIDs like mefenamic acid, ibuprofen and aspirin increase the risk of bleeding because platelets are low. Use only paracetamol for fever and pain and see a doctor.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Mefenamic Acid (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms