FENAMATES MAY ANTAGONIZE THE ACTIONS OF PROSTAGLANDIN ENDOPEROXIDES IN HUMAN MYOMETRIUM

1 The prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue U‐46619 potently contracted human isolated myometrium, suggesting that prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) may be a major stimulant of myometrial contractions. 2 Sodium mefenamate, flufenamate or meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml greatly reduced contractions of the myometrium induced by the PGH2 analogue. 3 Flufenamate, but not the other two drugs, also significantly inhibited contractions to acetylcholine. 4 Sodium meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml did not consistently antagonize contractions to PGF2alpha. 5 The relief of dysmenorrhoea by fenamates may be explained both by inhibition of PG synthesis, and by antagonism of contractions to PGH2 produced by incompletely blocked PG synthesis. 1979 The British Pharmacological Society