mefenamic acid vs propranolol

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Side-by-side comparison of mefenamic acid and propranolol. 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

ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers (including propranolol).

Drug Class
mefenamic acid Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
propranolol Non-Selective Beta-Blocker
Type
mefenamic acid Prescription
propranolol Prescription
Summary
mefenamic acid

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).

propranolol

Propranolol is a medicine that can help with high blood pressure, chest pain, and other conditions. It works by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body, like adrenaline, that affect the heart and blood vessels.

What It Treats
mefenamic acid

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.

propranolol

Propranolol tablets can treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other medicines. Propranolol can also help with chest pain (angina), control fast heart rate with atrial fibrillation, improve survival after a heart attack, prevent migraine headaches, and reduce tremors. It can also help with symptoms of some tumors.

How It Works
mefenamic acid

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.

propranolol

Propranolol is a beta-blocker. It works by blocking the effects of adrenaline on your heart and blood vessels. This helps to slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

Common Side Effects
mefenamic acid
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Upset stomach
  • Gas
propranolol
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
mefenamic acid
  • Nausea 296
  • Fatigue 253
  • Headache 227
  • Pain 202
  • Dizziness 177
propranolol
  • Nausea 4,279
  • Headache 3,785
  • Fatigue 3,752
  • Diarrhoea 3,119
  • Dizziness 3,102
Serious Warnings
mefenamic acid

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.

propranolol

Propranolol is contraindicated in people with cardiogenic shock, very slow heart rate, asthma, or those who are allergic to it.

Pregnancy
mefenamic acid

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.

propranolol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Propranolol may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking propranolol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This mefenamic acid vs propranolol Comparison

mefenamic acid is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while propranolol sits within the Non-Selective Beta-Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, mefenamic acid has 1,155 submissions while propranolol has 18,037. 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 mefenamic acid can interfere with how propranolol works, making it less effective at lowering your blood pressure.. 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 mefenamic acid or propranolol.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.