Mefenamic acid for toothache works by reducing the pain and inflammation that occurs when a person has a toothache. This drug is sold over-the-counter, but it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking it to avoid side effects.
Mefenamic acid can help relieve toothache complaints, such as pain, swelling around the teeth or gums, fever, and headache. The way mefenamic acid relieves pain is by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the body.
Benefits of Mefenamic Acid to Overcome Toothache
Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works to reduce mild to moderate pain. This drug is also able to reduce inflammation caused by certain diseases.
Usually the use of mefenamic acid is intended to overcome:
- Toothache and menstruation pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headache
- Postoperative pain and childbirth
- Pain caused by injury
This drug works by inhibiting the production of enzymes cyclo-oxygenase (COX) which will reduce the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are substances that the body produces when you are injured, suffering from certain diseases that cause pain, inflammation and swelling.
By inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, the pain caused can be reduced.
Because it is effective in relieving pain, mefenamic acid can be used as a toothache pain medication. However, do not use this medicine for a long time. The recommended limit for the use of mefenamic acid to treat pain in toothache is 7 days.
Side Effects of Using Mefenamic Acid
Just like other medicines, mefenamic acid also has serious side effects. Here are some side effects that may appear when taking mefenamic acid for toothache:
- Digestive tract disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and flatulence
- Headache and dizziness
- Heart beat
- Hard to breathe
- Itchy skin and rash
- Blurred vision
- Ulcer
- Impaired kidney and liver function
In addition, mefenamic acid can also cause serious side effects if used by people with acid reflux disease (GERD). This is because mefenamic acid can increase the production of stomach acid which causes stomach irritation, intestinal bleeding and gastric ulcers.
Therefore, the use of this drug in patients with gastric acid and peptic ulcers should be avoided. However, if you still have to use mefenamic acid, it is recommended to take it together with stomach acid drugs so that stomach irritation is avoided.
Not only that, research shows that some NSAIDs, including mefenamic acid, can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as increase the risk of heart disease recurrence in people with a history of heart disease.
This risk will increase if you use mefenamic acid in high doses or for a long period of time.
For this reason, before using mefanamic acid as a toothache pain medication, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Especially if this drug will be given to people who:
- Allergy to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Just had heart surgery.
- Have a history of gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and gastric ulcers.
- Over 65 years of age.
- Under 14 years of age.
- Have a history of certain diseases, such as kidney disease, chronic heart failure, and liver failure.
- Suffering from hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy.
- Her pregnancy has entered the third trimester.
- Is breastfeeding.
The use of mefenamic acid in the long term and exceeding the dose can cause serious side effects for the body. So, use according to the instructions listed on the packaging label or consume as directed by a doctor.
If after taking mefenamic acid you still feel pain and toothache, immediately consult a dentist to get the right treatment and treatment.