Pharma standard organization The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has released a medication safety alert for physicians and patients regarding the usage of mefenamic acid, a common painkiller that is marketed under the Meftal brand.
Mefenamic acid is known to cause drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms known as DRESS syndrome, according to the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI), which keeps track of and gathers data about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse events connected to pharmaceutical products. This information was discovered during the program's "preliminary analysis."
Despite not being an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can be purchased without a prescription, the drug is widely used by Indians for a variety of conditions, including headaches, muscle and joint pain, and menstrual pain. Also, children with high fevers frequently take the 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.
DRESS Syndrome: What Is It?
Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, or DRESS syndrome, is a dangerous allergic reaction. Roughly 10% of those who experience this reaction end up dead. It can be fatal.
When your body reacts strongly to certain medications, you may experience this syndrome. It can impact your internal organs and manifest as a skin rash. When it comes to medications, caution is imperative. Steer clear of this harsh response.
Drastic side effects are already known.
Healthcare providers and patients are urged to closely monitor the medication's side effects in light of this alert.
"The use of the above suspected drug may result in the above adverse drug reactions (ADR), which healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers are advised to closely monitor," the alert stated.
"If such a reaction occurs, kindly report it by filing a suspected adverse drug reaction with the IPC."
DRESS syndrome, however, is a well-known adverse effect of many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), according to several medical professionals who spoke with News18. Therefore, even prior to the IPC's preliminary analysis, it was widely known.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen have been linked to certain side effects, though not as frequently as some other drug classes.implicate in DRESS syndrome in certain instances," a medical professional who works in the internal medicine division of a Delhi hospital stated.
He added that in his 20 years of clinical practice, he hasn't seen any of his patients experience side effects from this drug. "It's important to note that individual responses to medications can vary, and not everyone taking NSAIDs will experience this severe allergic reaction," he said.
"The occurrence of DRESS syndrome with NSAIDs like Meftal is generally considered rare," a different physician, a gynaecologist at a hospital in Gurugram, told News18.
"Even though the incidence is generally low, people using NSAIDs should be aware of the possibility of side effects, including infrequent but serious reactions like DRESS syndrome."
