Drug & supplement interaction

Neem + Mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic Acid brand name: Ponstel.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Neem has a moderate interaction with Mefenamic Acid. Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Neem and Mefenamic Acid

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic Acid falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES — the group Neem interacts with.

Theoretically, neem leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that neem leaf methanol extract inhibits CYP2C9 enzymes. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: your body uses an enzyme called CYP2C9 to clear mefenamic acid (Ponstel) out of your system. In lab tests, neem leaf extract appears to slow that same enzyme down. If that happened in real life, mefenamic acid could hang around longer and build up, which may nudge up the usual NSAID side effects: stomach upset, heartburn, an irritated or bleeding stomach, fluid retention, or strain on the kidneys.

The honest part is that this is only seen in test-tube and lab work, not in actual people, so it's more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Mefenamic acid isn't a prodrug, so the worry is too much drug, not too little. Still, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing concentrated neem supplements with it.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Amaeze O, Eng H, Horlbogen L, Varma MVS, Slitt A. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2021;46(3):437-450. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Neem Also Interacts With Other Medications

Neem has 1,012 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Mefenamic Acid one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,012 No known interaction 1,818 (incl. Mefenamic Acid)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Neem

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Mefenamic Acid

This page covers Neem 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

One more smart check

Taking Neem as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 288 real supplement products containing Neem, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Neem. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Mefenamic Acid too, on top of Neem — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Neem 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 Neem
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Mefenamic Acid
Top half

#760 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.

Supplement

About Neem

What is Neem?

Neem
  • Skin conditions
  • Dental and gum health
  • Antimicrobial and antiparasitic
  • Digestive upset
  • Blood sugar support
  • Insect repellent/pesticide

Neem is a tree from India used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially for skin, dental, and antimicrobial purposes. Some small studies are promising for oral health and skin, but high-quality human evidence is limited for most uses. Neem oil and seed extracts can be toxic if swallowed, especially in children, so use with caution and talk to your pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Neem 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.

See full Mefenamic Acid drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Neem

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

0Major
1,012Moderate
0Minor
1,817No known interaction
1,012 Moderate 1,817 No interaction
Moderate

1,012 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,012 moderate interactions — see all 1,012 on the Neem page.

No interaction 1,817 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,817 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Neem list.

See the full Neem interactions page
See every supplement checked against Mefenamic Acid, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Neem monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Mefenamic Acid supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Mefenamic Acid, ranked by severity Mefenamic Acid drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Neem and Mefenamic Acid Together: Common Questions

Can you take Neem with Mefenamic Acid?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Neem and Mefenamic Acid interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Mefenamic Acid and Neem?

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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.