Menadol

Who is Menadol for ?

Menadol is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis and gout. Menadol also is used to reduce fever and to relieve headaches, muscle aches, menstrual pain, aches and pains from the common cold, backache, and pain after surgery or dental work. Menadol is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Menadol is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Menadol works by blocking the production of certain chemicals in the body called prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. Menadol blocks prostaglandin production by decreasing the activity of an enzyme, called cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which is used to make prostaglandins.

When should I be careful taking Menadol ?

Before taking Menadol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Menadol, aspirin or other medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ("water pills"), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. Do not take aspirin or acetaminophen when using Menadol unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney disease; high blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other gastrointestinal disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Menadol, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Menadol.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. Do not drink alcohol while taking Menadol.

Menadol Side Effects

Although side effects from Menadol are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• upset stomach
• stomach pain or cramps
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• gas

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• bloody vomit
• bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• skin rash
• itching