dicyclomine/mefenamic acid

Action and Spectrum

Action and Spectrum: 

Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic that relaxes the stomach and gut muscles, thus prevents sudden muscle contractions. 

Mefenamic acid prevents the release of certain chemical messengers that cause abdominal pain and inflammation. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

• Nausea 
• Nervousness 
• Sleepiness 
• Weakness 
• Skin rash 
• Diarrhoea 
• Constipation 
• Headache 
• Dizziness 

Black Box Warning

Black box warning: 

None  

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindications/caution: 

None  

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy Warnings: 

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excretion of the drug into the human breast milk is unknown 

Pregnancy categories: 

Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no evidence of risk to the fetus in the first trimester or in the later trimester. 

Category B: No evidence of risk to fetus found in animal reproduction studies and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. 

Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for an effect in humans, care must be taken for potential risks in pregnant women. 

Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite potential risks may be used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 

Category X: Drugs listed in this category clearly outweigh risks over benefits. These category drugs should be prohibited for pregnant women. 

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology  

Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug that relaxes gastrointestinal muscle spasms and blocks the activity of a natural substance in the body. 

Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that reduces body pain and blocks the release of certain chemical messengers that cause inflammation and abdominal pain. 

Pharmacodynamics  

Dicyclomine is an anticholinergic drug which decreases abdominal pain and discomfort, especially in cases of irritable bowel syndrome. 

Mefenamic acid temporarily reduces pain symptoms because it binds with COX-1 and COX-2 prostaglandin synthetase receptors. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

The drug is taken orally in the form of tablet.  

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: dicyclomine/mefenamic acid 

Why do we use dicyclomine/mefenamic acid? 

Dicyclomine/mefenamic acid is a combination drug used in the treatment of abdominal pain and menstrual pain.  

This drug help to reduce pain associated with intestinal, ureteric colic and biliary. 

This drug is also used in management of dysmenorrhea and colicky pain.