Is Meftal, the common painkiller you are popping for period pain, headaches, safe?

One popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) for treating pain is meftal.

But the next time you take a tablet, find out from a doctor how much you should take and whether you really need it.

Mefenamic acid, which is often marketed under the trade name Meftal, has been the subject of a drug safety alert by the pharmaceutical standards body Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC).

Let’s take a closer look.

The alert

Mefenamic acid is known to cause drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms known as DRESS syndrome, the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), which keeps track of and gathers data about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse events connected to pharmaceutical products, said in its “preliminary analysis.”

Although the medication is not available over-the-counter (OTC) and cannot be sold without a prescription, Indians use it extensively for a variety of conditions, including headaches, muscular and joint pain, and menstrual pain. In addition, children with high fevers frequently are given this medication.

The leading brands in the category are Meftal from Blue Cross Laboratories, Mefkind P from Mankind Pharma, Ponstan from Pfizer, Mefanorm from Serum Institute, and Ibuclin P from Dr. Reddy.

The alert has asked medical professionals and patients to closely monitor the side effects of the medicine.

“Healthcare professionals, patients/consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reactions (ADR) associated with the use of the above suspected drug,” the alert issued on 30 November said.

“If such a reaction is encountered, people should report the matter to the national coordination centre of the PvPI under the commission by filing a form on the website - www.ipc.gov.in - or through android mobile app ADR PvPI and PvPI helpline number 1800-180-3024," it added.

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DRESS syndrome – a serious drug reaction

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, or DRESS syndrome, is a serious allergic reaction brought on by specific medications.

Your body may react strongly to some drugs, resulting in this syndrome.

It appears as a skin rash, fever, and lymphadenopathy, and it can happen two to eight weeks after taking the medication. Your internal organs may also be affected.

With an estimated 10 per cent death rate across multiple studies, it presents a significant risk to one’s life.

Antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin and phenobarbital are the most common culprits linked to DRESS syndrome; their incidence rate is roughly one per 5,000 to 10,000 exposures.

To prevent this serious reaction, it is essential to use caution when taking drugs.

Experts opinion

Medical professionals told News18 that it is a known fact that DRESS syndrome is a a common side effect of a lot of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).

An expert who works at the internal medicine department of a hospital in Delhi told the news channel, “While not as common as with some other drug classes, NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen have been implicated in causing DRESS syndrome in some cases. It’s important to note that individual responses to medications can vary, and not everyone taking NSAIDs will experience this severe allergic reaction.”

He added that in his two decades of clinical experience, he has not seen any negative effects from this medication in any of his patients.

A gynaecologist at a Gurugram-based hospital, told News18 that “the occurrence of DRESS syndrome with NSAIDs like Meftal is generally considered rare.” “While the overall incidence is low, it is crucial for individuals taking NSAIDs to be aware of potential side effects, including rare but severe reactions like DRESS syndrome.”