| Dosage | : | Tablet |
| Contains | : | Mefenamic acid 250 mg + Dicyclomine hydrochloride 10 mg |
| Category | : | Anti spasmodics |
| Uses | : | Spasmodic pain |
| Price | : |
Meftal-Spas contains Mefenamic acid and Dicyclomine hydrochloride. It is available in two strengths Meftal-Spas and Meftal-Spas DS. Mefanamic acid belongs to class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. It is used for treating mild to moderate pain due to various causes.
Dicyclomine belongs to class of drugs called antispasmodics. It relaxes muscles of stomach and intestines. Hence, it reduces the symptoms of stomach and intestinal cramping.
Meftal-Spas is prescribed in the following conditions:
- Gastro-intestinal colic
- Biliary colic
- Ureteric colic
- Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
Meftal-Spas is a brand from Blue Cross. Founded in 1980, Blue cross is one of the leading research-based pharmaceutical companies in India with over three decades of experience in providing healthcare products to people across the globe with the aim of improving human life.
Blue Cross’s Research and Development division constantly strives towards development of new formulations and New Drug Delivery Systems. It conducts a wide range of research in major therapeutic segments like Antibacterials, Pain management, Dermatologicals, Cough & Cold Preparations, Antispasmodics, Anti-Ulcerants, Cardiovascular, Antidiabetic and many more to develop highest quality dosage forms.
Stomach spasms
Stomach spasms are contractions of your abdominal muscles (abs), stomach, or intestines. Depending on which part of your body is spasming and how badly, it might feel like either a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps.
In most cases, stomach spasms themselves are harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition.
Causes of stomach spasms
Identifying the cause of your stomach spasms can help you treat this symptom. Here are 11 conditions that may be responsible for your symptom.
- Muscle strain
Overworking your abdominal muscles could cause them to spasm. Spasms due to muscle strain are most likely to occur in people who do strenuous and frequent exercise, especially crunches and sit-ups. Other symptoms of muscle strain are:
- Tenderness or pain in your abs
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Dehydration
Losing electrolytes from dehydration caused by sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea can result in muscle spasms throughout your body, including your stomach. This happens because muscles need electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium to work properly. When they don’t have these electrolytes, your muscles may start working abnormally and seizing up. Learn more about identifying and treating an electrolyte imbalance.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
- Extreme thirst
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Dark yellow urine
- Gas
A build-up of gas in your stomach can cause your intestinal muscles to spasm as your body tries to release the gas. If you have gas, you might also have:
- Distended stomach or bloating
- Sharp stomach pain
- A feeling of fullness
- An urge to pass gas or burp
- Inflammatory bowel disease
These diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while UC only affects the colon. In both conditions, inflammation can cause bowel spasms.
Other symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases are:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Constipation
- Feeling like you urgently need to go to the bathroom
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. It doesn’t cause bowel tissue changes like inflammatory bowel disease, but symptoms are similar, including:
- Stomach pain or cramping
- Bloated feeling
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (sometimes constipation and diarrhea will alternate)
- Gas
Dosage
As directed by your Physician.
Administration
As directed by your Physician.
Adverse Reactions/ Side Effects
Significant: Heat prostration, psychosis or delirium, diarrhoea.
Cardiac disorders: Tachyarrhythmia, palpitations, transient bradycardia.
Eye disorders: Mydriasis, cycloplegia, photophobia, rarely, blurred vision.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Dry mouth with difficulty swallowing and talking, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, rarely, constipation, nausea, vomiting.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Malaise, fatigue. Investigations: Decreased lactation.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Thirst, rarely, anorexia. Nervous system disorders: Dizziness, rarely, sedation, headache.
Psychiatric disorders: Nervousness, insomnia, confusion, hallucinations. Renal and urinary disorders: Rarely, dysuria.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Reduced bronchial secretions. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Dry skin, rarely, rash.
Warnings and Precautions
Patient with prostatic hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, tachyarrhythmic conditions, thyrotoxicosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension, autonomic neuropathy, mild-moderate ulcerative colitis, intestinal obstruction e.g. ileostomy or colostomy, mental illness. Renal and hepatic impairment. Children and elderly. Pregnancy. Patient Counselling This drug may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor anticholinergic effects (e.g. asthenia, nervousness), urinary output, gastrointestinal symptoms.
Contraindications
Obstructive diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, severe ulcerative colitis, reflux oesophagitis, unstable cardiovascular status in acute haemorrhage, glaucoma, obstructive uropathy, myasthenia gravis, salmonella dysentery. Infants (<6 months). Lactation.
Drug Interactions
May enhance the anticholinergic effect of tiotropium, ipratropium, glycopyrrolate, oxatomide, revefenacin. May enhance ulcerogenic effect of K citrate. Increased serum concentration of thiazide diuretics. May decrease the absorption of nitroglycerin.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, dilated pupils, hot dry skin, CNS stimulation (e.g. convulsion), curare-like action (e.g. neuromuscular weakness, paralysis).
Management: Symptomatic treatment. Perform gastric lavage, administration of emetic and activated charcoal to reduce absorption. If necessary, administer sedatives (e.g. short-acting barbiturates, benzodiazepines) for management of overt signs of excitement, and parenteral cholinergic agent as an antidote.
Storage
Intramuscular: Store below 25°C. Protect from direct sunlight. Protect from excessive heat.
Oral: Store below 25°C. Protect from direct sunlight. Protect from excessive heat.
Mechanism of Action
Dicycloverine, a tertiary amine antimuscarinic, relieves gastrointestinal smooth muscle spasm by blocking the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in the smooth muscle, CNS and secretory glands. Synonym: Dicyclomine.
References
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5247/dicyclomine-oral/details
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11586/mefenamic-acid-oral/details
https://www.healthline.com/health/stomach-spasms#in-pregnancy
https://www.mims.com/india/drug/info/dicycloverine/?type=full&mtype=generic#Indications