Is Mefenamic Acid safe while breastfeeding?
Here is what NIH LactMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's authority on medicines and breastfeeding, reports about Mefenamic Acid. This is a summary of that source — not our own verdict.
Effects on the breastfed infant
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Levels in milk
Maternal Levels. Ten postpartum women received a 500 mg loading dose of mefenamic acid followed by 250 mg orally 3 times daily through the fourth postpartum day. Mefenamic acid and its metabolites were measured using an old, insensitive assay method. Milk samples taken 2 hours after the first dose of each day found average mefenamic acid milk levels of 170 mcg/L (range 30 to 660 mcg/L), although these levels might be inaccurate because the concentration measured in blank milk samples in this study was 200 mcg/L and potentially active metabolites were not measured.[ 1 ] Infant Levels. Ten postpartum women received a 500 mg loading dose of mefenamic acid followed by 250 mg orally 3 times daily. Infant serum and urine specimens were obtained one hour after nursing on the afternoon of the fourth day. Only 3 of the 10 infants had blood levels at or above the blank level of the assay (10 mg/L). Average urine recovery was similar to the blank level. Five of the 10 infants had urine levels greater than blank urine.[ 1 ]
Alternatives LactMed lists
Source: NIH LactMed (National Library of Medicine).
Educational summary of an authoritative source — not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medicine while breastfeeding without confirming with your doctor.