Meftal is widely used by Indians for a variety of reasons, including relieving menstrual pain, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. (News 18)
DRESS syndrome is a commonly known side effect of many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, multiple doctors told News18.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Committee (IPC), a drug standards body, has issued a drug safety warning to doctors and patients about the use of the commonly used painkiller mefenamic acid, widely sold under the trade name Meftal. uttered.
India's Pharmacovigilance Program (PvPI), which monitors and collects adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and adverse events related to medicines, has in its “preliminary analysis” found that the drug mefenamic acid is associated with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It was found to cause drug reactions. It is called DRESS syndrome.
Although the drug is not an OTC product that can be sold without a prescription, it is widely used by Indians for a variety of reasons, including relief from menstrual pain, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. Also, the use of this drug in cases of high fever among children is widespread.
Top brands in this category include Meftal by Blue Cross Laboratories, Mefkind P by Mankind Pharma, Ponstan by Pfizer, Mefanorm by Serum Institute, and Ibuclin P by Dr Reddy.
What is DRESS syndrome?
DRESS syndrome, short for drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, is a severe allergic reaction. This can be fatal, with about 10% of people who experience this reaction dying.
This syndrome occurs when the body reacts strongly to certain drugs. It appears as a skin rash and can affect internal organs. To avoid this severe reaction, it is essential to be careful when taking the medication.
Side effects are rare but already known: Doctors
The alert urges health care workers and patients to closely monitor the drug's side effects.
“Health care professionals, patients, and consumers are advised to closely monitor the potential for the above-mentioned adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of the above-mentioned suspected drugs,” the warning states.
“If such a reaction occurs, please report it to the IPC by reporting a suspected drug reaction.”
However, multiple doctors told News18 that DRESS syndrome is a commonly known side effect of many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Therefore, it was already common knowledge even before the preliminary analysis of the IPC.
“Although not as common as other drugs, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are thought to be involved in causing DRESS syndrome in some cases,” said a medical expert working in the internal medicine department of a hospital in Delhi. Stated.
“It's important to note that individual reactions to drugs can vary, and not everyone taking NSAIDs will experience this severe an allergic reaction,” he said, adding that for 20 years He added that in his clinical practice, he had never seen a patient looking to the side due to the effects of this drug.
Another doctor, a gynecologist at a Gurugram-based hospital, told News18, “The occurrence of DRESS syndrome due to NSAIDs like meftal is generally considered to be rare.”
“Although the overall incidence is low, it is important for people taking NSAIDs to be aware of the potential side effects, including rare but serious reactions such as DRESS syndrome.”
