Nursing Responsibilities for Administering Mefenamic Acid (Ponstel®)

Mefenamic acid (Ponstel®) is an NSAID for mild-moderate pain, dysmenorrhea, and inflammation. Nursing care focuses on safety monitoring and patient education.

Key Responsibilities

1. Assessment: Pain score (validated scale), vital signs, allergy history (ASA/NSAID), GI/renal/cardiac risk factors.
2. Verification: Right patient, drug, dose (250 mg q6h PRN, max 1g/day), route (PO), time. Check interactions (anticoagulants, ACEi, diuretics, other NSAIDs, lithium, methotrexate).
3. Education: Take with food/milk to reduce GI upset. Avoid alcohol. Report: black/tarry stools, epigastric pain, edema, oliguria, rash, vision changes, unusual bruising.
4. Administration: With full glass of water; remain upright 15–30 min.
5. Monitoring:
   • Pain relief (reassess in 30–60 min).
   • GI: occult blood if risk factors; monitor for bleeding signs.
   • Renal: I/O, BUN/Cr if prolonged use or risk factors.
   • CNS: dizziness, headache.
6. Documentation: Pain score pre/post, dose, time, response, adverse effects, teaching.
7. PRN Evaluation: Assess need before each dose; don't give routinely if not indicated.

Special Populations

• Elderly: Start low; high GI/renal risk.
• CKD: Avoid if eGFR <30; use alternatives.
• Pregnancy: Category C; avoid 3rd trimester (premature ductus closure).

Mefenamic acid has higher GI toxicity than ibuprofen/naproxen; reserve for dysmenorrhea or when others fail.