What should be known before taking Ponstel?
Inform your doctor or health care provider, if you have any of conditions listed below:

• cigarette smoker
• drink alcohol-containing beverages
• heart disease or circulation problems like heart failure or leg edema (fluid retention)
• high blood pressure
• kidney disorders
• liver disorders
• recent heart surgery
• stomach bleeding or ulcers
• swelling of ankles or hands
• taking medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• taking steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
• an unusual or allergic reaction to mefenamic acid, aspirin, other NSAIDs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How is Ponstel taken?
Take the drug orally, drink a full glass of water. You’d better take it during the meal not to cause stomach disorders. You shouldn’t lie down right after you’ve taken the medicine. Take Ponstel regularly for better result. Do not take more doses and more often that prescribed. If you are taking

Ponstel for a long term, the risk of heart disorders may increase.

Consult the pediatrician if you are going to treat the child with Ponstel. You may need special monitoring.

In case of overdose, call for urgent medical help. Do not give this medicine to other people. It may be dangerous for them.

If you have forgotten to take your medicine in time, take it as soon as possible. If it’s time for you to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and take just the next one.

What does Ponstel interact with?
If you are taking any medicines or products listed below, do not take Ponstel:

• cidofovir
• ketorolac
• methotrexate
• Ponstel may also interact with:
• alcohol
• alendronate
• antacids with magnesium
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• diuretics
• herbal products that contain feverfew, garlic, ginger, or ginkgo biloba
• lithium
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• other NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pemetrexed

This list may be incomplete. If you are taking any medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs inform your doctor before taking Ponstel. You should be cautious, if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. It may lead to serious effects if you are taking Ponstel.

What important information should be known about Ponstel?
If you do not feel improvement of your condition inform your doctor. Do not take other pain medicines before consulting your doctor.

Ponstel is not effective in treating heart disorders. Even it can lead to heart attack if taking it for a long time. If you have heart problems, don’t take Ponstel. If you are taking aspirin for heart treatment, consult your doctor about the possibility of taking Ponstel.

Ponstel should not be used together with ibuprofen and naproxen, ’cause it may worsen the side effects. You may feel stomach disorders, nausea, or ulcers. Do not take medicines allowed without prescription with Ponstel.

Taking Ponstel may lead to serious effects, such as ulcers and stomach and intestines bleeding. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, cause it may interact with the medicine. Serious health conditions such as ulcers and bleeding may occur suddenly and lead to death.

Drowsiness and dizziness can occur. The medicine may affect your ability to drive or operate machines, or doing any mental job. If you are older one, be careful while standing or sitting up quickly.

Taking Ponstel may lead to bleeding. If you are going to have surgery or dental care, do not take Ponstel. Brush your teeth carefully.

What are Ponstel side effects?
There is the list of side effects which you should inform your doctor about as soon as you feel any of them:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• black tarry stools
• blurred vision
• breathing problems
• chest pain
• general ill feeling or ‘flu-like’ symptoms
• high blood pressure
• right upper belly pain
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• slurring of speech
• stomach pain or cramps
• sudden weight gain or swelling
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually weak or tired
• vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

There are also side effects which do not require special monitoring, though may be disturbing:

• diarrhea or constipation
• dizziness, drowsiness
• gas or heartburn
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• unusually sensitive to the sun

The list of side effects may be not complete. Consult your doctor or health care provider immediately if the side effects listed above have worsen or you feel any other unpleasant effects.