Ponstan 250mg 20 Capsules

PONSTAN is used to relieve the symptoms of period pain and treat heavy periods.

It also provides short term relief of pain in conditions such as:

• muscle and joint injuries such as sprains, strains and tendonitis
• dental pain.

PONSTAN containing mefenamic acid belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs). These medicines work by relieving pain and inflammation.

Although PONSTAN can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition.

Your doctor may have prescribed PONSTAN for another reason.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why PONSTAN has been prescribed for you.

PONSTAN is not addictive.

Before you take PONSTAN

When you must not take it

Do not take PONSTAN if:

1. you have an allergy to:

• mefenamic acid or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
• aspirin
• any other NSAID medicine including COX-2 inhibitors.

Many medicines used to treat headache, period pain or other aches and pains contain aspirin or NSAID medicines.

If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to these medicines may include:

• asthma, wheezing or shortness of breath
• swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
• hives, itching or skin rash
• fainting.

If you are allergic to aspirin or NSAID medicines and take PONSTAN, these symptoms may be severe.

1. you had diarrhoea with this medicine in the past.

Diarrhoea may recur if you take PONSTAN again.

1. you have a gastric ulcer (i.e. stomach or duodenal ulcer), a recent history of one, or have had gastric ulcers before.
2. you have or have had inflammation and/or ulceration of the lining of the stomach or bowel.

Some examples of these conditions include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

1. you have kidney disease.
2. you have severe heart failure.
3. you have liver failure.
4. you are about to have coronary artery bypass surgery.
5. children under 14 years of age.

Do not take PONSTAN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not take PONSTAN if the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

If you are not sure if you should start taking PONSTAN contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies to:

• any other medicines including aspirin or other NSAID medicines
• any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

• vomiting blood or bleeding from the back passage
• heart failure, heart attack, stroke
• heart disease.Use of PONSTAN may increase your risk of developing cardiovascular events (e.g. heart attack) even if you don't have a history of heart disease.
• high blood pressure
• blood clots
• a tendency to bleed or other blood problems such as anaemia
• heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcer or other stomach problems
• bowel or intestinal problems such as ulcerative colitis
• diarrhoea
• asthma
• pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin (also called hives) or any other skin rash.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

PONSTAN may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. Pregnant woman taking PONSTAN should be closely monitored by their doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

PONSTAN passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.

Your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking this medicine.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you take any PONSTAN.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with PONSTAN. These include:

• aspirin including low doses of aspirin used to prevent your blood from clotting in certain heart conditions
• warfarin or similar medicines including Eliquis, Xarelto or Pradaxa that are used to stop blood clots
• some medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• corticosteroids, medicines used to suppress the immune system or reduce inflammation
• some medicines used to treat diabetes
• lithium, a medicine used to treat mood swings in patients with bipolar disorder
• cyclosporin or tacrolimus, medicines used to suppress the immune system
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, medicines used for depression
• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some cancers.

These medicines may be affected by PONSTAN, or may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking PONSTAN.

Dosage

The usual dose of PONSTAN is 2 capsules (500 mg) three times daily with meals.

Your doctor may recommend a different dose. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

Take PONSTAN exactly as your doctor has prescribed.