Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has recently issued a drug safety alert for doctors and patients about the use of the commonly used painkiller mefenamic acid, popularly sold under the brand name Meftal. The Pharma standard body in its preliminary analysis of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) from the PvPI database revealed that Meftal can lead to Drug Reactions with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome. According to Dr. Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, this syndrome causes a diverse array of clinical symptoms, anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after initiating the offending drug. “Antiepileptic medications, such as phenytoin and Phenobarbital, are thought to be the predominant cause of DRESS syndrome although NSAIDS have also been implicated. NSAID’s include painkiller such as Mefenamic acid, naproxen, Brufen etc.,” Dr. Tayal said.