Mefenamic Acid Dosage for Pediatrics
Recommended Dosing
For pediatric patients, mefenamic acid is dosed at 6 mg/kg per dose, with a typical dosing interval of every 6-8 hours as needed for pain or fever. 1
Evidence-Based Dosing Details
- Standard pediatric dose: 6 mg/kg per dose 1
- This dosing has been validated in clinical trials comparing mefenamic acid to paracetamol for antipyretic effects in febrile children 1
- The medication demonstrated effective and rapid antipyretic action at this dose, with temperature normalization occurring in approximately 85 minutes on average 1
- Duration of antipyretic effect lasted approximately 8-9 hours before the next fever spike 1
Clinical Considerations
Safety Profile
- Mefenamic acid at 6 mg/kg showed negligible adverse effects in pediatric studies 1
- However, as an NSAID, it should be reserved for pain management or chronic inflammatory conditions rather than routine fever treatment 1
When to Use vs. Alternatives
- High-dose paracetamol (20 mg/kg) provides equivalent antipyretic efficacy to mefenamic acid with a similar safety profile 1
- Consider paracetamol as first-line for simple fever management, reserving mefenamic acid for pain or inflammatory indications 1
- Standard-dose paracetamol (15 mg/kg) has slower onset and shorter duration compared to both high-dose paracetamol and mefenamic acid 1
Important Caveats
- Pediatric dosing cannot be simply scaled down from adult doses using weight alone, as this results in inappropriate dosing in different age groups 2
- Children under 2 years require special consideration due to immature drug elimination pathways 2
- Always verify that mefenamic acid is approved for pediatric use in your specific jurisdiction, as availability varies by country 3