Meftal Spas - Uses, Side Effects, Composition, Dosage & Price

Manufactured by: Blue Cross Laboratories Private Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Salt Composition: Meftal Spas Tablet 10'S (10 tablets per strip) has Mefenamic Acid 250 MG and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride 10 MG in each tablet.

Overview

Mefenamic acid, also known as anthranilic acid, is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve mild and moderate pains. It has antipyretic (fever-reducing) and analgesic (pain-reducing), and anti-inflammatory (reduces swelling) properties.

• It was initially released as early as 1962 for pharmaceutical purposes and was largely marketed then by Parke, Davis and Company.
• While the generic name of this pharmaceutical agent is mefenamic acid, it is better known in its brand form - Meftal spas.
• Mefenamic acid is an anthranilic acid derivative (fenamates) in NSAIDS. Similar to various other NSAIDs, mefenamic acid is generally well tolerated, but could also generate side effects.
• Mefenamic acid’s anti-inflammatory properties are low when compared with other pain relievers, especially during abnormal bleeding during periods. 

Meftal spas tablet uses

Meftal spas uses can cater a plethora of conditions. Meftal spas are used for the treatment of mild and moderate visceral pains and also in different inflammatory conditions associated with pain and fevers.

Meftal spas are also used in dysmenorrhea condition (painful bleeding during periods) where the person experiences heavy bleeding, menstrual cramps; It is also used in colic (severe pain) and flank pains that occur in the presence of kidney stones.

Guidelines to follow while taking the Meftal Spas tablet

• Take this medication with food with a glass full of water at regular time intervals as prescribed by the physician for best results.
• In case of stomach upset, an antacid can be taken along with the drug. 
• Dose should be modified at extremes of age, low doses can be prescribed for both children less than 14 years of age and for elderly patients greater than 65 years of age. 
• If any overdose is experienced, immediately contact the drug poisoning centre to counteract.
• Do not take the missing dose the next day, as it leads to therapeutic duplication resulting in various side effects. 
• Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment as it could increase the risk of stomach bleeding. 

Meftal spas mechanism of action

Meftal spas sticks to prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (PGSIs), namely COX-1 And COX-2 (cyclooxygenase) receptors which prohibits the synthesis of prostaglandin, the compound that is responsible for pain.

Prostaglandin is a precursor to the production of pain. Mefenamic acid prohibits the synthesis of prostaglandin by binding with cyclooxygenase receptors, thus reducing pain.

Meftal spas indications

Meftal spas is widely indicated in the: 

• Treatment of mild and moderate abdominal pain
• Primary dysmenorrhea (heavy menstrual bleeding associated with pain). There is meagre evidence to suggest that mefenamic acid is better than other NSAIDs in dealing with menorrhagia (abnormally heavy bleeding, menstrual cramps)
• Fevers
• Colic or flank pain (cramp-like pain) is experienced during renal stone development

Meftal spas dosage

Meftal spas dosage for adults

Meftal spas is available in 250 mg capsule or tablet. Dosage varies based on the clinical conditions and patient's body weight, such as:

• For fever and visceral pain: Initially, 500 mg is given once, followed by 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours. The scheduled dose should not exceed more than a week.
• For dysmenorrhea (heavy bleeding and menstrual cramps): Initially, 500 mg is given once, followed by 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours. The scheduled dose should not exceed more than three days.

Meftal spas dosage for child

A primary care doctor will prescribe meftal spas for acute to moderate visceral pain based on age and weight of a child, such as:

• For children≥ 14 years: Initially, 500 mg is given once, followed by 250 mg every 6 hourly. The scheduled dose should not exceed more than 7 days.

Meftal spas dosage for geriatric patients

In geriatric patients according to disease and condition, the doctor may prescribe initially, 500 mg followed by 250 mg every 6 to 8 hours.

Meftal spas for covid

• Meftal spas drug is used as a regenerative and supportive drug during covid. It has a well antiviral capacity when given with a combination of the common antiviral drug ribavirin.
• Recent studies have shown that meftal spas has a 90% inhibitory effect against RNA viruses when given at 30µM concentration.
• Studies have shown that mefenamic acid has synergistic antiviral effects when given as supportive or combinatorial therapy (meftal spas combination) against RNA viruses. 

Meftal spas side effects

These are some common side effects of meftal spas:

• Diarrhoea (loose, watery stools)
• Constipation (hard-to-pass stools)
• Gas or bloating (build-up of gas)
• Headache
• Dizziness (feeling faint)
• Nervousness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Serious side effects of meftal spas:

• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight gain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Fever
• Blisters (fluid-filled bubbles)
• Rash (red spots)
• Itching
• Hives (skin rash caused due to reaction with food or irritant)
• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or arms
• Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) or swallowing
• Pallor (pale skin)
• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
• Excessive tiredness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising (blood leakage)
• Lack of energy
• Nausea (vomiting sensation)
• Lessening of appetite
• Pain emanating in the upper right part of the stomach
• Flu-like symptoms
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Cloudy, discoloured, or bloody urine
• Back pain
• Difficult or dysuria (painful urination)

NOTE: if any of the above symptoms were seen, immediately contact the concerned doctor or a physician. 

Side effects of meftal spas on specific organs

• Gastrointestinal system: Meftal spas can cause stomach ulcers associated with black or sticky stools, stomach pain and blood vomiting.
• Cardiovascular system: Meftal spas can cause symptoms like angina (chest pain), shortness of breath and slurred speech.
• Skin: It may cause skin reactions such as reddening or blistering of the skin
• Hepatic (liver): It may cause yellowish discolouration of the skin or whitening of the eye
• It may cause flu-like symptoms. 

Various studies demonstrated that transient serum aminotransferase elevations (indications of hepatotoxicity) are seen in only 5% of patients or less who are administered with mefenamic acid. 

Serum aminotransferase is the enzyme that is majorly produced in the liver apart from other organs, and their elevations in blood could depict information about the function of the liver and the extent of damage, the disease progression, or the response to treatment. 

These studies further demonstrate that the abnormality usually resolved on its own, devoid of any modification in the dose. Despite the above information, it is always recommended to rush to a doctor in case of any mefenamic acid-induced hepatotoxicity.

Effect of meftal spas in pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility

Effects of meftal spas during pregnancy

Meftal spas in pregnancy can cause a decrease or disruption of blood supply from mother to foetus due to premature closure of ductus arteriosa (the vessel that connects the foetal pulmonary artery to the aorta).

Effects of meftal spas during breastfeeding

Traces of mefenamic acid may transport to the baby through milk during breastfeeding and may lead to serious side effects. Either nursing or the drug should be discontinued based on the patient’s condition.

Effects of fertility

Meftal spas may cause prevention of rupturing of ovarian follicles (responsible for fertilisation).

Drug interactions of Meftal spas

A drug interaction is a reaction between two or more drugs or food, or supplements which leads to the undesired reaction.

A wide range of effects could be expected when meftal acid (mefenamic acid) is given in combination with the following drugs:

• Ibuprofen: may lead to an increased risk of bleeding and ulcer formation.
• Anti-coagulants / blood thinners: may lead to prolongation of bleeding time. 
• NSAID’S, this may lead to the formation of ulcers in the stomach.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: alters the blood pressure (BP) response (caution is needed in BP patients)

Meftal spas price

Maximum retail price as per year 2023: Rs. 50 for one strip (10 tablets in each strip). Meftal Spas tablet is available at almost every pharmacy.

Frequently asked questions

Department of General Medicine