Meftal Forte Tablet is a painkiller that contains mefenamic acid and paracetamol. It is commonly used for headaches, migraine, toothache, back pain, muscle pain, and joint pain. This tablet is also used for postpartum pain and pain after surgery.
Use this medication exactly as your doctor directs to avoid exceeding the recommended dosage. If you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications, consult your doctor before using Meftal Forte Tablet to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
What is the Meftal Forte Tablet used for?
The main Meftal Forte Tablet uses include:
- Headache: Meftal Forte Tablet can effectively alleviate headache by blocking pain signals in the brain.
- Migraine: It is also useful in managing migraine headaches by reducing pain and inflammation associated with this condition.
- Toothache: Meftal Forte Tablet can provide relief from dental pain caused by conditions such as toothaches or dental procedures.
- Post-operative pain: After surgery, Meftal Forte Tablet can help manage post-operative pain and discomfort.
- Post-partum pain: Women experiencing pain after childbirth, known as post-partum pain, can find relief with Meftal Forte Tablet.
- Pain associated with acute musculoskeletal disorders: Meftal Forte Tablet is effective in treating pain related to acute musculoskeletal disorders, including sprains and strains.
- Muscular and traumatic pain: It can also be used to relieve muscular pain and pain resulting from traumatic injuries.
- Low back pain: Meftal Forte Tablet provides relief from low back pain, a common complaint that can result from various causes such as muscle strains or disc problems.
How Does Meftal Forte Tablet Work?
Meftal Forte Tablet is a medication that combines Paracetamol (325 mg) and Mefenamic Acid (500 mg).
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the brain, which are chemicals involved in pain perception and body temperature regulation. By blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins, paracetamol helps to reduce pain and fever.
- Mefenamic Acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. It works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is responsible for the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins play a key role in mediating pain and inflammation in the body. By blocking the production of prostaglandins, mefenamic acid helps to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever.
The combination of paracetamol and mefenamic acid in Meftal Forte Tablet provides a potent analgesic effect, making it effective in relieving various types of body pains.
How many Meftal Forte Tablets can be taken in a day?
The recommended dosage for Meftal Forte Tablets may vary based on individual health conditions, and it is crucial to follow the advice provided by a doctor. Adults can take 1 tablet three times daily. It should not be exceeded for more than 7 days.
Are there any side effects of Meftal Forte Tablet?
The common Meftal Forte side effects include:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Indigestion
To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, it is advisable to take Meftal Forte Tablet with food. Consuming the medication with a meal can help minimise the chances of stomach upset.
What happens if an excess of Meftal Forte Tablets are taken at once?
If you take an excess of Meftal Forte Tablets in a day, you may experience lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In that case, do not delay seeking medical help, even if symptoms seem mild initially.
Is Meftal Forte Tablet safe during pregnancy?
Meftal Forte Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Both paracetamol and mefenamic acid, the active ingredients in Meftal Forte Tablet, have the potential to cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus. Paracetamol is generally considered safe for short-term use during pregnancy, but mefenamic acid, being a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), may pose risks to the fetus, particularly when used in the later stages of pregnancy.
What are the safety precautions when using Meftal Forte Tablet?
- Use in children: Meftal Forte Tablets are not recommended for children under 12. Consult a paediatrician for other safe formulations.
- Use in older adults: Elderly patients with heart, kidney and liver impairment should exercise caution when taking this tablet. Discuss your medication and medical condition with your doctor before taking this tablet.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Meftal Forte Tablet, as it may increase the risk of adverse side effects on the stomach.
- Gastrointestinal disorders or history of gastric ulceration: Meftal Forte Tablet can cause severe gastrointestinal (GI) complications, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation in the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be life-threatening. It is essential to exercise extreme caution when using it with a history of ulcer disease or GI bleeding. Those with a history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding who use NSAIDs are at increased risk of developing GI bleeding compared to those without these risk factors.
- Hypertension: The tablet can potentially affect blood pressure regulation, making it unsuitable for individuals with hypertension.
- Heart problems: Meftal Forte can cause fluid retention and oedema and may potentially worsen heart conditions.
- Kidney impairment: This tablet should not be used in patients with severe kidney impairment. It can aggravate the existing kidney problems, potentially leading to further complications.
- Liver impairment: Meftal Forte Tablet may affect liver function, making it a concern for individuals with pre-existing liver issues.
Can asthma patients take the Meftal Forte Tablet?
Asthma patients should use Meftal Forte Tablet with caution and under the guidance of a doctor. Mefenamic acid, one of the active ingredients in Meftal Forte Tablet, belongs to a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs can exacerbate asthma symptoms in some individuals, potentially leading to bronchospasm (constriction of the airways) and worsening of asthma attacks.
If you have asthma and need pain relief, it’s essential to consult your doctor before taking any painkiller from the online medical store. Your doctor may recommend safer alternative medications that you can buy from online medicine apps.
What medicines should you avoid when taking Meftal Forte Tablet?
If you take other medication simultaneously with Meftal Forte Tablet, please consult your doctor. Do not take antacids, antiarrhythmics (digoxin), diuretics, anticoagulants (warfarin), immunosuppressive medications (methotrexate), cholesterol-lowering medications (cholestyramine), prokinetic agents (metoclopramide and domperidone), anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, antibiotics (amikacin, tobramycin, gentamicin) other NSAIDs (aspirin). These medications may alter the safety and effectiveness of Meftal Forte Tablet.
