An anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID)
Meclofenamate
An anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID) used for pain and inflammation, known particularly for causing diarrhoea.
What is Meclofenamate?
Meclofenamate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (an NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation. Like other NSAIDs, it can irritate the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding, and it carries kidney and heart-and-circulation risks, especially with long-term use or in older people. A feature that stands out with this particular NSAID is that it commonly causes diarrhoea. It is taken by mouth, usually with food, and is an older medicine that is now used much less often than alternatives such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Meclofenamate — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Meclofenamate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, usually shortened to NSAID. NSAIDs are a large family of painkillers that also reduce inflammation, used for conditions such as joint pain, arthritis and period pain. Meclofenamate is one of the older members of this family and is now uncommon in the UK, where NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are generally preferred. It is taken by mouth. Compared with some other NSAIDs, it is particularly associated with causing diarrhoea, which is one reason it fell out of favour.
How it works
Meclofenamate works in the same general way as other NSAIDs. It blocks enzymes called cyclo-oxygenases (COX), which the body uses to make chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins drive pain, swelling and fever, so reducing them eases these symptoms. The same prostaglandins also help protect the stomach lining and support blood flow to the kidneys, which is why blocking them can lead to stomach irritation, ulcers and kidney problems. This shared mechanism explains both why NSAIDs relieve pain and why they share a common pattern of side effects.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
An older non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used for pain and inflammation, now uncommon in the UK with other NSAIDs usually preferred.
Practical use
How to take Meclofenamate
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth with or after food to help protect your stomach.
- Use the smallest amount that controls your symptoms, for the shortest time needed.
- Stop and seek urgent advice if you notice black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or bad stomach pain.
- Tell your prescriber if you develop troublesome diarrhoea, as this is a common effect of this medicine.
- Avoid taking it with other NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) unless told to, and check before using other medicines.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Meclofenamate
Advantages
- Relieves pain and reduces inflammation, like other NSAIDs.
- Taken by mouth.
- A long-established medicine with decades of experience behind it.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes diarrhoea, more so than many other NSAIDs.
- Can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, and carries kidney and heart-and-circulation risks.
- An older medicine now used much less often than better-tolerated alternatives.
Practical use
Good to know
The most useful things to understand about meclofenamate are the general cautions that apply to all NSAIDs, plus one feature of its own. It is best taken with or after food to reduce the chance of stomach upset. The most important safety concern is that NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, sometimes without warning, so any black, tarry stools, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds or persistent stomach pain should prompt urgent medical advice. They can also affect the kidneys and slightly raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly with higher doses or long-term use. The feature that sets this NSAID apart is that it commonly causes diarrhoea, which can be troublesome. Because of these issues and the availability of better-tolerated alternatives, it is generally used at the lowest effective amount for the shortest time, under medical advice.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to it, or who have had asthma, hives or swelling triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDs.
- People with a current or past stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding.
- People with severe heart failure, or with serious kidney or liver problems.
- It is generally avoided in later pregnancy and used with caution in older people.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether it is still needed and using it for the shortest time possible.
- Watching for signs of stomach bleeding, such as black stools or coffee-ground vomit.
- Checking kidney function and blood pressure during longer use, especially in older people.
Side effects
- Diarrhoea, which is a particularly common effect of this NSAID.
- Indigestion, nausea or stomach pain.
- Headache or dizziness in some people.
- More seriously but less commonly, stomach ulcers and bleeding, kidney problems, fluid retention, or a small increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Key interactions
- Other NSAIDs and aspirin add to the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding, so they are not usually combined.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin and the DOACs increase the bleeding risk when taken with NSAIDs.
- Taken with ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics, NSAIDs can worsen kidney function and blood-pressure control.
Available as: Tablets or capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Meclofenamate: frequently asked questions
What is meclofenamate used for?
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (an NSAID) used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, for example in joint and muscle conditions or period pain.
Why does it cause diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is a particularly common effect of this NSAID, more so than many others; tell your prescriber if it becomes troublesome, as it may mean a different medicine suits you better.
Why should I take it with food?
Taking it with or after food helps reduce stomach irritation, which NSAIDs can cause and which can sometimes lead to ulcers or bleeding.
Is it safe for my heart and kidneys?
Like other NSAIDs, it can affect the kidneys and slightly raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially at higher doses or with long-term use, so it is used carefully and for as short a time as possible.
Can I take it with ibuprofen?
No. Combining NSAIDs adds to the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding without giving extra benefit, so they should not be taken together unless a doctor specifically advises it.
The wider class
About Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Meclofenamate belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsaid) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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