New Delhi: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a critical health alert concerning the popular painkiller Meftal, revealing that its key component, mefenamic acid, has the potential to induce severe adverse reactions, including Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.
Meftal, widely utilised for conditions such as menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhoea, mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever, and dental pain, is now under scrutiny for its association with DRESS syndrome.
The IPC’s warning is based on a preliminary analysis of adverse drug reactions obtained from the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) database, highlighting instances of DRESS syndrome linked to the use of Meftal.
DRESS syndrome is described as a severe idiosyncratic drug reaction characterised by a prolonged latency period. The syndrome manifests diverse clinical symptoms, typically appearing 2 to 8 weeks after the initiation of the implicated drug. Notably, drugs like abacavir, allopurinol, and lamotrigine have previously been associated with DRESS syndrome.
An idiosyncratic drug reaction is an unpredictable and individualised response to medication that is not necessarily tied to the drug’s intended effects. These reactions can vary widely among individuals and may include severe conditions.
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