Mefenamic acid
2-(2,3-Dimethylanilino)benzoic acid
Drag to rotate. Structure from PubChem CID 4044.
Background
Listing
- Schedules
- Schedule 2 to 3, conditions apply
- Source
- Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026
Registered medicines
1 registered product listed
Counted through the register's ingredient index, which does not reach every record.
| Name | Brands | Dosages | Applicants | Registrations | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mefenamic acid | Fenamin, Ponstan paediatric, Adco-mefenamic acid, +10 more | 5 ml, 50 mg/5 ml, 50 mg per 5 ml, 250 mg, +4 more | 6 applicants | 18 registrations | S3 |
Regulatory status
Where S2 to S3 sits on the scale
Depends on which listing applies
At the least restrictive, Schedule 2: a pharmacist can sell it directly, without a prescription. At the most restrictive, Schedule 3: needs a doctor's prescription, dispensed by a pharmacist. The listings below say which applies to which form, strength or pack size.
Schedule S2 to S3, as the Consolidated Schedules list it.
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
- except when intended for the treatment of post-traumatic conditions, for a maximum period of 5 days; and
- except 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
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.