comparative study of legal and illegal items of different commercial brands of mefenamic acid 500 mg tablets as non-steroid anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent

ABSTRACT

Mefenamic acid, N-[2,3-Xylyl]-2-Aminobenzoic acid or N,2,3-Xylylanthranilic acid is an analgesic, antipyretic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The aim of this study is to assess the quality and the quantity of the legal and illegal types of mefenamic acid 500 mg tablets marketed in Yemen. We have selected six legal types of mefenamic acid tablets, which are registered by the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances and one illegal type of mefenamic acid which is a smuggling drug without name of brand [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China]. We have applied the qualitative and quantitative analysis for evaluating the items. The limit of content of mefenamic acid tablets is [95-105%] according to B.P. The result of analysis of these seven items of mefenamic acid were evaluated and showed that the qualitative analysis of six items, complied with B.P requirements whereas the uniformity of weight of tablets of smuggled drug [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China] did not. The quantitative analysis showed that the five types of mefenamic acid, [Ponstan forte 500 mg] [Park-Devis, Germany] [97.48%], [Pangesic forte 500 mg] [Ram Pharma, Jordan] [101.34%], [Ponsten forte 500 mg] [Birkl-Dove, Turkey] [103.27%], [Ponstel forte 500 mg] [Shin Poong Pharma, Korea] [98.93%], [Omatan forte 500 mg] [NP, Oman] [104.24%], complied with B.P, whereas the two items [Biostan forte 500 mg] [Biopharm, Yemen][86.86%] and [Welstan forte 500 mg] [China] [84.45%] did not comply