Studies on Ponstan (Mefenamic Acid): I. Gastro-Intestinal Blood Loss;II. Absorbtion and Excretion of a New Formulation

Abstract

Using improved techniques in a study of faecal blood loss no significant change over control level occurred during administration of mefenamic acid 500 mg t.i.d. for six days. This lack of gastro-intestinal bleeding is at variance with earlier findings for this compound.

Studies of two mefenamic acid formulations (250 mg capsule and 500 mg filmseal tablet) showed no significant difference in area under blood level curves or in urinary output data, indicating equivalent total absorption. The 500 mg film-coated tablet gave significantly higher serum levels at 0·5 hours, whereas the 250 mg capsule gave significantly higher serum levels at 6 and 8 hours.