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Patient Information Leaflet Ponstan Capsules 250mg
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Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine.  It gives you important information about your treatment.  If you have any questions, or if you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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What is in the pack?
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The name of your medicine is Ponstan.  Ponstan Capsules are ivory and blue capsules with &quot;Ponstan 250" printed on the side.  Each capsule has 250 mg of the active ingredient, Mefenamic acid BP.  This medicine is available in containers of 10 and 100 capsules, however your doctor will prescribe the amount required for you.
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The capsules also contain: sodium lauryl sulphate, lactose, gelatin and water.  The capsule shells contain Erythrosine (E127), Quinoline yellow (E104), Titanium Dioxide (E171) and Patent Blue (E131).
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What is your medicine?
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Mefenamic acid is one of the group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Who supplies Ponstan Capsules?
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The Product Licence holder is Parke, Davis &amp; Company and the manufacturer is Goedecke AG, Freiburg, Germany (A member of the Parke Davis group of companies).
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What are Ponstan Capsules used for?
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Ponstan can relieve the pain and discomfort caused by: arthritis, headache, toothache, periods, fever in children (children will probably be prescribed mefenamic acid in a liquid form), and may also be used after operations and childbirth.
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Before taking Ponstan Capsules
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Before you start to take Ponstan Capsules:
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Are you pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding?
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Have you ever had a reaction (for example wheezing, runny nose, rash) after taking mefenamic acid or other pain killers such as aspirin?
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Do you suffer from asthma or any other allergic disease?
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Have you ever had a stomach or duodenal ulcer or had an upset stomach after taking pain killers such as aspirin?
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Do you have inflammatory bowel disease?
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Do you suffer from kidney, heart or liver disease?
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Do you suffer from epilepsy?
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Are you taking medicines for blood clots (for example warfarin)?
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If you answer YES to any of these questions, do not take the capsules. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist at once.
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If you go into hospital or to see a doctor or dentist, tell them you are taking Ponstan Capsules.
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How to take Ponstan Capsules
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The usual adult dose of Ponstan Capsules is 2 capsules taken 3 times a day.  However, your doctor may suggest a different dose.  Follow your doctor's instructions exactly and never change the dose yourself.
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Your doctor will have decided what dose of Ponstan is right for you.
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Always take the capsules with plenty of water, preferably after a meal. Try to take them at the same times every day
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If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. 
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 Do not take 2 doses at the same time
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If you accidentally take too many Ponstan Capsules, tell your doctor at once. If you can't do this, go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Take along any capsules that are left, the container and the label so that the hospital staff can easily tell what medicine you have taken.
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Side Effects
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Ponstan can sometimes cause side-effects. These might be:
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diarrhoea
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skin rash
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wheezing Other side effects have also been reported with Ponstan, these are shown below If you suffer from any of the side effects listed, or any other side effects, stop taking the capsules and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately
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Stomach:
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 Upset stomach, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, stomach pain, black tarry stools (bowel motions).
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Blood:
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 Anaemia, increased bruising or bleeding, frequent sore throats or infections. Mefenamic acid can reduce the number of certain types of blood cells. If you have any blood tests performed, you should remember to tell the doctor that you are taking mefenamic acid.
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Liver:
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 Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
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Kidney:
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 Red urine, protein in the urine (you cannot see this but your doctor may test for this from time to time).
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Other:
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 Recurring or persistent headache, dizziness, drowsiness, puffiness of the face. allergy
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How to store Ponstan Capsules
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Keep the capsules in a dry place at normal room temperature (below 30°C) in the packaging that they come in.
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Remember, like all medicines, to keep Ponstan Capsules well away from children.
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Do not use the capsules after the expiry date on the package. Return any out-of-date capsules to your pharmacist.
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If your doctor decides to end your treatment, return the left-over capsules to your pharmacist. Only keep them if you doctor tells you to.
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Ponstan is a trade mark.
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Date of last revision: July 1995.
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For further information contact:
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Elan Pharma Ltd., Lambert Court, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire, S053 3ZQ 
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