Meftal Spas Tablet

Meftal Spas is an anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drug manufactured by Blue Cross Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. It is available in tablet form and cannot be bought over the counter without a bona fide prescription. Meftal Spas composition includes two active salts namely dicyclomine hydrochloride and mefenamic acid in 1:25 ratio. 

Meftal Spas is sometimes prescribed alongside other medications for treating abdominal spasms of smooth muscles and menstrual pain and cramps.

Dicyclomine eases the contractions of abdominal muscles, while mefenamic acid blocks cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes that manufacture prostaglandins (PG). Together they reduce the pain and inflammation at the affected area. 

• Meftal Spas is usually used to treat dysmenorrhea or pain during periods. It is also effective during pre-menstrual cramps. 
• The medicine can relieve colicky pain, i.e. abrupt muscle contractions in the abdomen region. 
• Meftal Spas tablets are also prescribed to treat other forms of abdominal pain that occur between the chest and pelvic area or around the belly button. 
• Sometimes, this drug is also used as an analgesic to decrease acidity, gas and bloating in the stomach. It can also cure irritable bowel syndrome to a certain extent. 
• Meftal Spas benefits include the reduction of fever in certain cases.

Consumption of Meftal Spas is associated with several side effects. The possible ones are listed below. 

• Common side effects: The most common Meftal Spas side effects include indigestion, altered taste,bloating, mild nausea, abdominal pain and heartburn.
• Less common side effects: Sometimes patients experience constipation, dark coloured stools, blurred vision, dizziness or headache. 
• Rare side effects: Some rare cases have reported moderate diarrhea and nose bleeding. 
• If these side effects persist for a steady interval it is imperative to call upon medical help. 

It is customary to be upfront and clear to the doctor about past liver or kidney issues during consultation. Discussed below are some contraindications and precautions that should be kept in mind while opting for Meftal Spas.

Is it safe to prescribe this medicine to pregnant women?

Pregnancy: This medicine should not be prescribed to a pregnant woman especially post third trimester. A thorough consultation with a doctor is necessary before using this medicine during this time. 

Is this medicine safe for a lactating woman who is breastfeeding her child?

Breastfeeding: The tablet can threaten the health of lactating mothers who regularly breastfeed their kids. 

Is this medicine safe for people who consume alcohol regularly?

Alcohol: Consuming this medicine with alcohol or drinking post consumption of the tablet can accelerate the risks of bleeding. 

Is this medicine safe for people suffering from Kidney ailments?

Kidney: It is not recommended for patients suffering from kidney ailments and should only be given after consulting a doctor. However, patients with extreme kidney conditions should generally avoid using this medicine.

Can this medicine be given to people with existing liver conditions?

It is not considered safe for people with existing liver conditions and can cause other complications. Therefore, people with existing liver conditions should avoid using this medicine.

Is it safe to prescribe this medicine to people with high or low blood pressure?

Blood Pressure: Consuming this medicine may cause fluid retention and high blood pressure. Therefore, patients with hypertension or even hypotension should refrain from using this medicine without a doctor’s consultation.

Does this medicine impair driving in any way?

Driving: This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness and therefore it is recommended not to be taken before driving or operating any kind of machinery.

The appropriate dose of Meftal Spas tablet is determined by the consulting doctor and usually depends on the age and clinical conditions of the patient. 

• Usual Dosage: Usually the prescribed Meftal Spas dosage per day to alleviate moderate pain is three tablets. Meftal Spas tablets should be taken with food and swallowed with a glass of water to prevent stomach upset. Chewing or breaking down the tablet is not recommended. However, the tablet should not be consumed for more than seven consecutive days. 
• Missed Dosage: In case of a missed dose Meftal Spas should be consumed promptly. But if it clashes with the next dose then it is advisable to skip the missed one. Double dosage can cause adverse health effects. 
• Overdose: If any unusual side effects like breathing difficulty, vomiting and nausea is experienced due to overdose, inform your doctor immediately.

Like every other medicine, Meftal Spas tablets cause harmful reactions when consumed with the following drugs. 

• Glimepiride: Using these two drugs simultaneously can lower blood sugar level causing nausea, vomiting and irregular heartbeat. It is essential to monitor glucose level in blood while consuming Meftal Spas. 
• Glipizide: The effect in this case will be the exact opposite of the one discussed above. This interaction will shoot up blood sugar level creating sweating, weakness, heartburn and nausea. 
• Ramipril: Meftal Spas with Ramipril reduces blood pressure causing kidney impairments. It is associated with nausea, loss of appetite and weight as well as frequent urination. 
• Atenolol: Meftal Spas alters the function of Atenolol creating lightheadedness, confusion, drowsiness and dry mouth. 
• Warfarin: Warfarin is used to thin blood and if used long term with Meftal Spas can lead to increased bleeding. 

If any patient experiences any of the aforementioned symptoms it is essential to consider adjusting the dosage or switching to alternate medication.