Drug & supplement interaction

Kaolin + Mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic Acid brand name: Ponstel.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Mefenamic Acid and Kaolin in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Kaolin safety at a glance

Kaolin overall Use caution Generally considered low-risk for short-term use, but long-term or excessive use is not well studied.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally in food amounts. Kaolin has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally in food amounts. Kaolin has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US. Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Mefenamic Acid and Kaolin? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Mefenamic Acid

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Mefenamic Acid is filed under 8 classifications — including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), cytochrome p450 2c9 (cyp2c9) substrates, organic anion transporter 3 (oat3) substrates. Kaolin has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — the most serious being clindamycin (cleocin) (moderate), digoxin (lanoxin) (moderate) and quinidine (moderate) — and none of Mefenamic Acid’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Kaolin Does Interact With Other Medications

Kaolin has 7 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Mefenamic Acid isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 7 No known interaction 2,823 (incl. Mefenamic Acid)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Kaolin

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Kaolin. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Fainting / Anemia Worth acting on Additional detail

    Kaolin

    “Orally, kaolin can cause constipation, particularly in children and the elderly (15). When consumed in large quantities, kaolin can cause intestinal obstruction, which can be fatal in severe cases. It can also interfere with absorption of nutrients.”

    Kaolin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anemia.

    4 sources cited
    1. 15. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
    2. 101216. Dokoupil M, Marecová K, Handlos P, Brezina P. Death of a female prostitute due to intestinal obstruction by an unknown substance. J Forensic Sci 2019;64(1):289-91. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13824. PubMed
    3. 101218. Pain S, Fauconneau B, Bouquet E, Vasse-Terrier L, Pérault-Pochat MC. Severe craving associated with kaolin consumption. Eat Weight Disord 2019;24(2):379-81. doi: 10.1007/s40519-018-0583-1. PubMed
    4. 105862. Attarha BO, Mikulic S, Harris C, Scolapio JS. Kaolin Clay Anemia. Cureus 2021;13(3):e13796.

    Mefenamic Acid

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Mefenamic Acid. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Dizziness / Headache / Stomach pain reported in 10.9% of FDA reports for Mefenamic Acid Additional detail

    Kaolin

    Recorded for Kaolin in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Fainting / Anemia above.

    Mefenamic Acid

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Mefenamic Acid, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Constipation Additional detail

    Kaolin

    “Orally, kaolin can cause constipation, particularly in children and the elderly (15). It can also cause intestinal obstruction. After inhalation, kaolin may cause occupational kalinosis (pulmonary disease).”

    Kaolin · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.

    5 sources cited
    1. 15. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
    2. 101216. Dokoupil M, Marecová K, Handlos P, Brezina P. Death of a female prostitute due to intestinal obstruction by an unknown substance. J Forensic Sci 2019;64(1):289-91. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13824. PubMed
    3. 195. Levin JL, Frank AL, Williams MG, et al. Kaolinosis in a cotton mill worker. Am J Ind Med 1996;29:215-21.
    4. 196. Chaudhary BA, Kanes GJ, Pool WH. Pleural thickening in mild kaolinosis. South Med J 1997;90:1106-9.
    5. 197. Altekruse EB, Chaudhary BA, Pearson MG, Morgan WK. Kaolin dust concentrations and pneumoconiosis at a kaolin mine. Thorax 1984;39:436-41.

    Mefenamic Acid

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Mefenamic Acid. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Kaolin but not commonly for Mefenamic Acid: a bowel blockage.

Effects for Mefenamic Acid come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Kaolin come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 2,182 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Mefenamic Acid that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Kaolin in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally in food amounts. Kaolin has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US.

Pregnancy And Lactation Possibly Safe

When used orally as kaolin-pectin in appropriate amounts.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Overlapping uses

What Mefenamic Acid Is Prescribed For, and What Kaolin Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Mefenamic Acid is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Kaolin is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Mefenamic Acid is prescribed for: Mefenamic acid capsules are approved to manage mild to moderate pain in adults and adolescents 14 years of age and older, but only for short-term use — no longer than 7 days. They are also approved to treat primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), started at the onset of bleeding and associated symptoms.

Kaolin has been studied for:

  • Bleeding Natural Medicines rates the evidence for Kaolin: Possibly Effective Read what the research shows

    Kaolin for bleeding

    Kaolin-impregnated gauze has shown some benefit for reducing bleeding in various situations, including post-procedural bleeding, postoperative bleeding, and bleeding associated with wound debridement.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Mefenamic Acid on your own; if you are taking Kaolin for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Mefenamic Acid

This page covers Kaolin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Mefenamic Acid page lists 118 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and Wine (major).

By severity: 5 major · 86 moderate · 27 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Mefenamic Acid page

“Mefenamic acid (Ponstel), an NSAID mostly used for menstrual cramps and short-term pain, has a supplement list that earns genuine caution, and the five major-rated entries are where to start. Beer and wine are two of them, because alcohol plus any NSAID raises the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Mefenamic Acid interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Kaolin
Steady interest

#990 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Mefenamic Acid
Top half

#1,361 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Kaolin reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Kaolin

What is Kaolin?

Kaolin
  • Diarrhea
  • Upset stomach and nausea
  • Skincare and facial masks
  • Soothing minor skin irritation
  • Excessive salivation (traditional)

Kaolin is a soft, white clay mineral that has long been used in antidiarrheal products and skincare because it absorbs water and binds substances in the gut. Older diarrhea products often combined it with pectin, but modern guidelines favor rehydration and other treatments, and high-quality evidence for kaolin alone is limited. It is generally considered low-risk for short-term use, but check with your pharmacist or doctor before use, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Mineral clay (hydrated aluminum silicate) · Oral suspensions, tablets, powders, topical pastes and masks

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Kaolin is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Kaolin record says about it on its own.

Kaolin: dosing

There is no single official supplement dose for kaolin, and products vary widely in strength and formulation. The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label exactly.Do not exceed the recommended amount or use it for longer than directed without medical advice.

From our Kaolin monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Kaolin monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Mefenamic Acid

What Is Mefenamic Acid Used For?

Brand name: Ponstel

Mefenamic acid capsules are approved to manage mild to moderate pain in adults and adolescents 14 years of age and older, but only for short-term use — no longer than 7 days.

They are also approved to treat primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), started at the onset of bleeding and associated symptoms.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Mefenamic Acid

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (2,182 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Nausea 314 reports
Fatigue 264 reports
Headache 238 reports
Dizziness 189 reports
Malaise 177 reports
See full Mefenamic Acid drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Kaolin

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Kaolin — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
7Moderate
0Minor
2,822No known interaction
7 Moderate 2,822 No interaction
Moderate

7 interactions

No interaction 2,822 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Kaolin against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,822 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Kaolin list.

See the full Kaolin interactions page
See every supplement checked against Mefenamic Acid, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Kaolin References

The 18 references that drive our Kaolin monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Barker G, Loftus L, Cuddy P, Barker B. The effects of sucralfate suspension and diphenhydramine syrup plus kaolin-pectin on radiotherapy-induced mucositis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1991;71:288-93.
  3. Carnel SB, Blakeslee DB, Oswald SG, Barnes M. Treatment of radiation- and chemotherapy-induced stomatitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1990;102:326-30.
  4. Levin JL, Frank AL, Williams MG, et al. Kaolinosis in a cotton mill worker. Am J Ind Med 1996;29:215-21.
  5. Chaudhary BA, Kanes GJ, Pool WH. Pleural thickening in mild kaolinosis. South Med J 1997;90:1106-9.
  6. Altekruse EB, Chaudhary BA, Pearson MG, Morgan WK. Kaolin dust concentrations and pneumoconiosis at a kaolin mine. Thorax 1984;39:436-41.
  7. Rodin SM, Johnson BF. Pharmacokinetic interactions with digoxin. Clin Pharmacokinet 1988;15:227-44.
  8. Babhair SA, Tariq M. Effect of magnesium trisilicate and kaolin-pectin on the bioavailability of trimethoprim. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1983;40:165-8.
  9. Bucci AJ, Myre SA, Tan HS, Shenouda LS. In vitro interaction of quinidine with kaolin and pectin. J Pharm Sci 1981;70:999-1002.
  10. Allen MD, Greenblatt DJ, Harmatz JS, Smith TW. Effect of magnesium-aluminum hydroxide and kaolin-pectin on absorption of digoxin from tablets and capsules. J Clin Pharmacol 1981;21:26-30. PubMed
  11. Albert KS, Ayres JW, DiSanto AR, et al. Influence of kaolin-pectin suspension on digoxin bioavailability. J Pharm Sc 1978;67:1582-6.
  12. Albert KS, et al. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of a drug interaction between kaolin-pectin and clindamycin. J Pharm Sci 1978 67:1579-82.
  13. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  14. Black RA, Hill DA. Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy. Am Fam Physician 2003;67:2517-24.
  15. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 335 - Antidiarrheal drug products for over-the-counter human use. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=335.50

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Kaolin with Mefenamic Acid?
We do not list a known interaction between Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 6 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Are Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Kaolin in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Mefenamic Acid is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Kaolin and Mefenamic Acid combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Mefenamic Acid is filed under 8 classifications, and Kaolin has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — none of Mefenamic Acid's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Kaolin interact with any other medications?
Yes. Kaolin has 7 documented drug interactions in our database — Mefenamic Acid is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Mefenamic Acid interact with any supplements?
Yes. Mefenamic Acid has documented interactions with 118 supplements in our database — Kaolin is not one of them. The Mefenamic Acid interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Kaolin monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Mefenamic Acid drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Mefenamic Acid supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Mefenamic Acid, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 18 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Mefenamic Acid and Kaolin?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.