aspirin vs mefenamic acid
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Side-by-side comparison of aspirin and mefenamic acid. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of mefenamic acid with anticoagulants (e.g.,warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding (see Warnings ; Hematologic Toxicity ) . Aspirin Clinical Impact: Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated...
Bayer, Ecotrin
Ponstel
Aspirin is a common medicine used to relieve minor pain. It can also be prescribed by your doctor for other uses.
Mefenamic acid is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain and menstrual cramps. It is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Aspirin is used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains. However, it works slowly. It will not quickly relieve headaches or other symptoms that need immediate relief. Ask your doctor about other uses for this medicine.
Mefenamic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain in people 14 years and older. It should not be used for more than 7 days. It is also used to treat menstrual cramps.
Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs and antiplatelets. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It also helps to prevent blood clots.
Mefenamic acid reduces pain and inflammation in the body. It does this by blocking substances in the body that cause pain and swelling. This medicine helps to reduce pain and discomfort.
- • Upset stomach
- • Heartburn
- • Abdominal pain
- • Constipation
- • Diarrhea
- • Upset stomach
- • Gas
- Fatigue 31,963
- Dyspnoea 27,179
- Nausea 26,579
- Diarrhoea 26,452
- Dizziness 22,390
- Nausea 296
- Fatigue 253
- Headache 227
- Pain 202
- Dizziness 177
No specific warnings noted.
Mefenamic acid may increase the risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with longer use. You should not take this medicine if you are having heart bypass surgery. Mefenamic acid can also increase the risk of serious stomach and intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and holes, which can be fatal. These problems can occur without warning. The elderly and those with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding are at higher risk.
Ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Mefenamic acid may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if mefenamic acid passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
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How to Read This aspirin vs mefenamic acid Comparison
aspirin is classified in the Antiplatelet / NSAID drug class, while mefenamic acid sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aspirin has 134,563 submissions while mefenamic acid has 1,155. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these two drugs together does not provide extra pain relief but does increase your risk of dangerous bleeding.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for aspirin or mefenamic acid.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.