Meftal Spas Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Meftal Spas Tablet is a combination medicine containing Mefenamic Acid 250 mg and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride 10 mg. It combines a pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory medicine with a muscle-relaxing medicine to treat pain and cramps, including menstrual cramps and pain caused by muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines. It is used for conditions such as spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, colicky pains, abdominal, renal, and biliary colic, and irritable bowel syndrome. Common side effects include diarrhoea, headache, and dizziness, and certain precautions apply, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in people with kidney or liver problems.

What is Meftal Spas Tablet

Meftal Spas Tablet is a combination medicine that contains Mefenamic Acid 250 mg and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride 10 mg. It combines a pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory medicine with a muscle-relaxing medicine to treat pain and cramps.

Meftal Spas Tablet uses

• Menstrual cramps and pain (dysmenorrhea)
• Pain due to muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines
• Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea
• Colicky pains
• IUCD-induced spasm and pain
• Abdominal, renal, and biliary colic
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Muscle pain and inflammation
• Fever and joint pain
• Mild and moderate visceral pains and inflammatory conditions with pain and fever
• Colic or flank pain from kidney stones

Benefits of Meftal Spas Tablet

• Provides relief from menstrual cramps and pain
• Relieves pain due to muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines
• Reduces pain and swelling
• Relaxes muscles in the stomach, intestine, and uterus to ease cramping

How Meftal Spas Tablet works

One ingredient, dicyclomine, relaxes the muscles in the stomach and intestine to stop sudden spasms, easing cramps and discomfort. The other ingredient, mefenamic acid, blocks the release of prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause pain and swelling, by acting on COX-1 and COX-2 receptors.

Meftal Spas Tablet dosage

Take this medication with food and a full glass of water to protect your stomach. Take it at regular time intervals as prescribed by your doctor. An antacid can be taken along with the drug if you have stomach upset. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet; swallow it whole. Consume the tablet immediately after removing it from the strip. Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment as it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding. Do not take on an empty stomach, as this increases the risk of stomach irritation, acidity, or ulcers. Lower doses may be used for children and for elderly patients. This medicine is not meant to be taken regularly; use it for the shortest time needed or only when pain occurs. Do not take a missed dose the next day; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and do not double up.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet — Mefenamic Acid 250 mg and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride 10 mg

Side effects of Meftal Spas Tablet

Common

• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Gas or bloating
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness/sleepiness
• Nervousness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision

Serious

• Unexplained weight gain
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Fever
• Blisters
• Rash
• Itching
• Hives
• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or arms
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Pale skin
• Fast heartbeat
• Excessive tiredness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Lack of energy
• Lessening of appetite
• Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• Flu-like symptoms
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Cloudy, discoloured, or bloody urine
• Back pain
• Painful urination
• Stomach ulcers with black or sticky stools, stomach pain, or blood in vomit
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or slurred speech

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy because it may harm the unborn baby, including reducing blood flow between mother and baby due to early closure of a blood vessel in the fetus. Talk to your doctor before using it.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding, as small amounts may pass into breast milk and could cause side effects in the baby. Talk to your doctor before using it.
• Use this medicine with caution if you have kidney problems. Long-term use can cause painful urination or protein or blood in the urine, and your doctor may check your kidney function.
• Use this medicine with caution if you have liver problems, as it may build up in the liver and cause damage. Your doctor may monitor your liver function.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it increases the risk of stomach bleeding and may cause excessive drowsiness.
• This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, so avoid driving or operating machinery after taking it.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical help if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue or throat, severe dizziness, or breathing difficulty.
• This medicine may cause stomach and intestinal bleeding in people with ulcers and should not be used if you have stomach ulcers or perforation disorders, as it may worsen the condition.
• Do not use this medicine to relieve pain after heart bypass surgery, as it may cause serious harmful effects.
• This medicine is not recommended for people with asthma, especially if you have had allergic reactions to anti-inflammatory medicines before.
• This medicine can cause serious skin reactions without warning, which can be fatal in rare cases.
• This medicine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age, as there is no data on its safety and effectiveness in this age group.
• This medicine may increase the risk of a heart attack in people with existing heart conditions or heart failure.
• Long-term use can damage the stomach and intestines, leading to bleeding, ulcers, or a hole in the stomach or intestinal wall.
• Taking too much of this medicine can cause seizures, effects on the brain and nervous system, or coma.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you think you have taken too much of this medicine.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you notice rashes, hives, fever, or other signs of an allergic reaction.
• Stop taking this medicine and see a doctor right away if you have ongoing drowsiness that affects daily life, unusual bleeding, severe stomach pain, an allergic reaction, or a fever that won't go away.
• If you get diarrhea while taking this medicine, stop taking it and consult your doctor.
• If any overdose is experienced, contact a drug poisoning center right away to get help.

Alternatives

• Hyoscine Butylbromide
• Drotaverine
• Dicyclomine