Mefinimic Acid

MEFENAMIC ACID ❖
About meftal:
• Meftal is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). •
The primary component of Meftal is Mefenamic acid, a pain-relieving
medication employed to mitigate muscle and joint discomfort as well as
menstrual pain (menstrual cramps and rheumatoid arthritis).
❖ What is mefenamic acid?
Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used short- term
(7 days or less) to treat mild to moderate pain in adults and children who are atleast 14
years old. Mefenamic acid is also used to treat menstrual pain
❖ MOA:
• Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase (COX) and the resulting inhibition of prostaglandin
synthesis mitigate pain, fever, and inflammation.
• Reduce in the production of prostaglandins, which decreases the pain sensation.
❖ Uses:
It is commonly prescribed for various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhoea, mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever, and
dental pain.
❖ Risk and Side effects:
In addition to DRESS syndrome, other side effects such as abdominal pain,
indigestion, dry mouth, blurred vision, increased blood pressure, swelling and
gastrointestinal issues like stomach ulcers and bleeding.
Common side effects of mefenamic acid may include:
• heartburn, stomach pain, gas, nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhoea, constipation; or
• dizziness.
❖ Adverse effects:
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
• swelling or rapid weight gain;
• nausea, diarrhoea, flu-like symptoms (fever, swollen glands, muscle aches,
severe weakness);
• a skin rash, no matter how mild;
• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit
that looks like coffee grounds;
• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness,
itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling
tired or short of breath; o

• low red blood cells (anaemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-
headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.
❖ Warnings
Mefenamic acid can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke. Do not use
mefenamic acid just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass
graft, or CABG). Mefenamic acid may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding,
which can be fatal.
❖Reason for the removal of drug:
The primary component of Meftal is Mefenamic acid, a pain-relieving medication employed
to mitigate muscle and joint discomfort as well as menstrual pain. Additionally, it exhibits
efficacy in mitigating sore throats, nerve pain, and muscle aches.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) issued an alert
regarding the common painkiller, Meftal, and said that people must
take the drug only after consulting a doctor as it contains mefenamic
acid which can trigger adverse reactions like DRESS syndrome, etc.
Meftal is a commonly used drug for menstrual cramps and rheumatoid
arthritis.
• Healthcare professionals, patients, and 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 said.
• The alert from the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission comes as Meftal was
rapidly becoming a common painkiller in homes with people using it without
much caution to get some relief from muscle and joint pain.
• DRESS syndrome
• “The Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
syndrome is a unique and severe idiosyncratic response to a medication, marked
by a protracted onset period. It was linked to medications such as abacavir,
allopurinol, and lamotrigine. Subsequently, it manifests through a diverse array
of clinical symptoms, typically including Fever, Skin rash, Lymphadenopathy,
eosinophilia, and aspectrum of systemic manifestations ranging from mild to
severe.
IPC issues drug safety alert for Meftal
• This was based on a preliminary analysis conducted on adverse drug reactions
by the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI).
• The Commission also advises people to take the drug only after consulting a
doctor.
• Healthcare professionals and patients are advised to be vigilant for signs of
DRESS syndrome and other adverse drug reactions.

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MEFENAMIC ACID ❖

• Meftal is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). •

The primary component of Meftal is Mefenamic acid, a pain-relieving

medication employed to mitigate muscle and joint discomfort as well as

menstrual pain (menstrual cramps and rheumatoid arthritis).

❖ What is mefenamic acid?

years old. Mefenamic acid is also used to treat menstrual pain

• Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase (COX) and the resulting inhibition of prostaglandin

synthesis mitigate pain, fever, and inflammation.

• Reduce in the production of prostaglandins, which decreases the pain sensation.

osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhoea, mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever, and

❖ Risk and Side effects:

In addition to DRESS syndrome, other side effects such as abdominal pain,

gastrointestinal issues like stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Common side effects of mefenamic acid may include:

• heartburn, stomach pain, gas, nausea, vomiting;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

• swelling or rapid weight gain;

• nausea, diarrhoea, flu-like symptoms (fever, swollen glands, muscle aches,

• a skin rash, no matter how mild;

• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit

that looks like coffee grounds;

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness,

• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling

tired or short of breath; o

headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

which can be fatal.

❖Reason for the removal of drug:

The primary component of Meftal is Mefenamic acid, a pain-relieving medication employed

efficacy in mitigating sore throats, nerve pain, and muscle aches.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) issued an alert

take the drug only after consulting a doctor as it contains mefenamic

Meftal is a commonly used drug for menstrual cramps and rheumatoid

• Healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers are advised to closely

with the use of the above-suspected drug," the alert said.

rapidly becoming a common painkiller in homes with people using it without

syndrome is a unique and severe idiosyncratic response to a medication, marked

by a protracted onset period. It was linked to medications such as abacavir,

allopurinol, and lamotrigine. Subsequently, it manifests through a diverse array

of clinical symptoms, typically including Fever, Skin rash, Lymphadenopathy,

eosinophilia, and aspectrum of systemic manifestations ranging from mild to

IPC issues drug safety alert for Meftal

• This was based on a preliminary analysis conducted on adverse drug reactions

by the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI).

• Healthcare professionals and patients are advised to be vigilant for signs of

DRESS syndrome and other adverse drug reactions.

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