Mefenamic acid
Sold as Fenamin, Ponstan paediatric, Adco-mefenamic acid, Ponstel forte, Ponstel, Ponstel s, Dysfem, Alfoxid, Ponstan, Norton-mefenamic acid, Pharmachem mefenamic acid, Ponac, Ponac forte
2-(2,3-Dimethylanilino)benzoic acid
Drag to rotate. Structure from PubChem CID 4044.
Background
Registration
- Applicants
- 6
- Registrations
- 18
- Schedule source
- SAHPRA documentation
Applicants and registrations
| Applicant | Brands | Dosages | Registrations | Schedule | Leaflets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adcock ingram limitedCertificate held by Adcock Ingram Limited (Pty) Ltd1 of 9 cancelled | Fenamin, Adco-mefenamic acid, Ponstel forte, Ponstel, Ponstel s, Dysfem | 5 ml, 50 mg/5 ml, 250 mg, 500 mg | 270281, 270282, 270283, 280019, 280220, 280548, 280703, 280704, 360185 | S2 | PIPIL |
| Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd | Ponstan paediatric, Ponstan | suppositories, capsules, suspension | 270561, B0560, B0561 | Not determined | None |
| Medicine Developers International Healthcare CC | Alfoxid | Not stated | 380292 | Not determined | None |
| Medicine Developers International (Pty) Ltd | Norton-mefenamic acid | 500 | W0387 | Not determined | None |
| Pharmachem Pharmaceuticals CC | Pharmachem mefenamic acid | 250 | W0441 | Not determined | None |
| Pharmacorp (Pty) Ltd | Ponac, Ponac forte | 50 mg per 5 ml, 250 mg, 500 mg | Y0157, Y0158, Y0192 | S3S2 to S3 by pack | PIPIL |
Variants
| Product | Strength and form | Registration | Status | Schedule | Leaflets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fenamin - 250 EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250,0 mg | 250 mgCapsules | 27028127/2.7/0281Approved 17 November 2025 | Registered | Not determined | PIPIL |
| Fenamin - 500 EACH TABLET CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 500 MG | 500 mgTablet | 27028227/2.7/0282Approved 18 August 2023 | Registered | Not determined | PIPIL |
| Fenamin suspension EACH 5 ML SUSPENSION CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 50 MG | 5 mlSuspension | 27028327/2.7/0283Approved 18 August 2023 | Registered | S2 | PIPIL |
| Ponstan paediatric suppositories EACH SUPPOSITORY CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 125 mg | Suppositories | 27056127/2.7/0561 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Adco-mefenamic acid 250 MG EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250,0 mg | 250 mgCapsules | 28001928/2.7/0019Approved 20 January 2022 | Registered | S2 | PIPIL |
| Adco-mefenamic acid 50 mg/5 ML EACH 5,0 ml SUSPENSION CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 50 mg | 50 mg/5 ml | 28022028/2.7/0220 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponstel forte EACH TABET CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 500 mg | Not listed | 28054828/2.7/0548 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponstel 250 EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250 mg | 250 | 28070328/2.7/0703 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponstel s EACH 5,0 ml SUSPENSION CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 50,0 mg | Not listed | 28070428/2.7/0704 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Dysfem EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250,0 mg | Not listed | 36018536/2.7/0185 | Cancelled | Not determined | None |
| Alfoxid EACH 5,0 ml SUSPENSION CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 50,0 mg | Not listed | 38029238/2.7/0292 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponstan capsules CAPSULE MEFENAMIC ACID 250 MG | Capsules | B0560B/2.7/560 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponstan suspension 5 ML MEFENAMIC ACID 50 MG | Suspension | B0561B/2.7/561 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Norton-mefenamic acid 500 EACH TABLET CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 500 MG | 500 | W0387W/2.7/387 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Pharmachem mefenamic acid 250 EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250 MG | 250 | W0441W/2.7/441 | Registered | Not determined | None |
| Ponac capsules EACH CAPSULE CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 250 MG | 250 mgCapsules | Y0157Y/2.7/157Approved 28 September 2023 | Registered | S3 | PIPIL |
| Ponac forte EACH TABLET CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 500 MG | 500 mgTablets | Y0158Y/2.7/158Approved 28 September 2023 | Registered | S2 | PIPIL |
| Ponac suspension EACH 5 ML SUSPENSION CONTAINS MEFENAMIC ACID 50 MG | 50 mg per 5 mlSuspension | Y0192Y/2.7/192Approved 4 May 2023 | Registered | S2 | PIPIL |
Regulatory status
Where S3 sits on the scale
Needs a doctor's prescription, dispensed by a pharmacist.
Schedule 3 medicines can only be sold on a prescription from an authorised prescriber, such as a doctor or dentist. A pharmacist dispenses the medicine once they have the written prescription, or a verbal instruction from a prescriber they know. Its price, name, pack size and strength can still be told to the public, as long as nothing links it to what it treats.
Schedule S3, read from the product's PI-PIL leaflet.
Who may supply: A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it; and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction.
Consolidated Schedules listings for Mefenamic acid
S3: Mefenamic acid
- when intended for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, for a maximum period of 5 days; and
- preparations containing mefenamic acid as the only therapeutic active substance, when intended for human use only in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea subject to a maximum daily dose of 500 millligrams mefenamic acid 3 times a day and a maximum treatment period of 3 days. (S2)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 3915 to 3921
S2: Mefenamic acid
- when intended for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, for a maximum treatment period of 5 days; and
- preparations containing mefenamic acid as the only therapeutically active substance, when intended for human use only in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea, subject to a maximum daily dose of 500 millligrams 3 times a day and a maximum treatment period of 3 days; (S3)
- except when intended for veterinary use. (S3)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 2271 to 2280
Pharmacological class: Antipyretics or antipyretic and anti-inflammatory analgesics. (class 2.7)
This is an informational summary of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and its 2017 General Regulations. It is not medical advice and not legal advice. Always check the medicine's label, which carries the schedule number inside a square border, or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
SAHPRA documents
These documents are provided by SAHPRA for informational purposes. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice.