Metafen – a drug for rheumatic problems, dosage, indications, contraindications, side effects, price

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Metafen is a drug used in rheumatology, orthopedics, and in sports and family medicine. It affects the musculoskeletal system with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Metaphene is administered in rheumatic diseases and other pain conditions.

Metafen – characteristics and indications

Metafen is a drug that contains paracetamol and ibuprofen. Metafen has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. One tablet of Metafen contains 200 mg of ibuprofen and 325 mg of paracetamol. The other ingredients are povidone, pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate. Metafen is available without a prescription. The indications for the use of Metafen are as follows:

1. headaches,
2. migraine,
3. menstrual cramps,
4. toothache,
5. muscle aches,
6. bone and joint pain,
7. low back pain,
8. post-traumatic pain,
9. neuralgia,
10. fever.

The active substances of Metafen are easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, ibuprofen in more than 80%, paracetamol in about 90%. After oral administration of ibuprofen, maximum blood concentration is reached after 1-2 hours, and paracetamol after 0,5-1,5 hours.

See also: Intercostal neuralgia – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Metafen – dosage

Metafen is a drug intended for short-term use. The drug is taken orally. It should be taken after a meal with a little water. The lowest effective dose of Metafen should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of side effects..

Adults should take 1 to 2 tablets of Metafen at a time. If necessary, the dose can be repeated up to three times a day. Do not use more than 6 tablets a day.

People over 12 years of age should take 1 tablet of Metafen at a time. If necessary, the dose can be repeated up to three times a day. This age group should not take more than 3 tablets a day.

Elderly people can take Metafen, but in this age group there is a much higher risk of side effects. Before using Metafen, elderly people should consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Metafen – contraindications

In the Metafen leaflet, there are specific situations in which you should not take the medicine. Metafen should not be used:

1. if you are allergic to paracetamol, ibuprofen or any of the other ingredients of this medicine,
2. if you are allergic to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including acetylsalicylic acid, 
3. history of aspirin asthma, angioedema (a disease of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by swelling), bronchospasm, rhinitis or urticaria associated with taking acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs
4. in severe renal and / or liver failure,
5. in the case of gastric ulcer and / or duodenal ulcer (active or in the past), perforation or bleeding, also after taking NSAIDs,
6. in severe hypertension,
7. in severe cardiovascular disease, tachycardia (increased heart rate), angina pectoris,
8. in severe heart failure,
9. during pregnancy and breastfeeding,
10. when taking anticoagulants at the same time and in hemorrhagic diathesis (bleeding tendency in, for example, the skin and mucous membranes, nose, digestive system),
11. in case of urinary retention
12. in patients with congenital deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase,
13. in children under 12 years of age 
14. in case of alcoholism.

Particular care should also be taken when using the drug in people who have:

1. impaired liver and / or kidney function and cardiovascular disorders,
2.  in patients with impaired renal function, effective doses should be used, as low as possible,
3. systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease, there is an increased risk of developing aseptic meningitis, 
4. history of gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) – symptoms may get worse 
5. heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, a heart attack or a history of heart failure – problems with blood clotting or taking anticoagulants at the same time. The drug should be used with caution in people with bronchial asthma and in people who have or have had other allergic reactions in the past, due to the risk of bronchospasm.

Also read: How can people with bronchial asthma protect themselves against the coronavirus?

Metafen – overdose

If you have taken a larger dose of Metafen than recommended by the manufacturer or the doctor, you should go to a medical facility as soon as possible. In case of an overdose of Metafen, the following symptoms may appear:

1. nausea, 
2. stomach pains, 
3. vomiting (there may be traces of blood) 
4. headaches, 
5. ringing in the ears 
6. confusion and nystagmus,
7. somnolence, 
8. pain in the chest, 
9. palpitations, 
10. loss of consciousness, 
11. convulsions (mainly in children), 
12. weakness and dizziness, 
13. blood in urine 
14. feeling cold and having trouble breathing.

In rare cases, there may also be an increase in prothrombin time (INR), diarrhea, bleeding in the stomach or intestines, high blood pressure, increased levels of potassium in the blood, metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure or liver damage, agitation, exacerbation in patients with asthma may occur. bronchial asthma symptoms.

The first symptoms of an overdose of Metafen are related to the action of ibuprofren, and the later to the action of paracetamol, which appear several or several hours after overdosing. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and anorexia may appear. Liver damage may occur in severe cases.

Treatment with paracetamol overdose requires immediate treatment. Treatment with activated charcoal should be considered if overdose has occurred within 1 hour prior to treatment initiation. Plasma paracetamol concentration should be determined 4 hours after ingestion or later (concentrations previously measured are unreliable). Treatment with N-acetylcysteine ​​can be used up to 24 hours after taking paracetamol, but the maximum protective effect is achieved up to 8 hours after taking the drug. After this time, the effectiveness of the antidote drops sharply.

If an overdose / poisoning with Metafen has occurred, you must see a doctor or the nearest hospital as soon as possible. In severe cases, metafen poisoning is treated in the hospital under conditions of intensive care.

See: Ibuprofen tested in the treatment of COVID-19. Eases Coronavirus Symptoms?

Metafen – side effects

Metaphene, like other painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause some side effects. These are classified as common side effects, uncommon, rare and very rare side effects.

Common side effects (1 to 10 patients in 100) may include:

1. stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, stomach discomfort and vomiting
2. increased levels of enzymes – alanine aminotransferase and gammaglutamyltransferase and altered parameters of liver parameters after the use of paracetamol,
3. increased levels of creatinine and urea in the blood.

Side effects that may occur uncommonly (affects 1 to 10 patients in 1000) include but are not limited to:

1. constipation
2. abdominal distension
3. headaches,
4. dizziness,
5. itchy skin
6. skin rashes
7. hives
8. peptic ulcer,
9. ulcerative stomatitis,
10. angioedema and facial swelling
11. decrease in hemoglobin and increase in the number of platelets,
12. gastrointestinal perforation or bleeding, with symptoms such as tarry stools and bloody vomiting, sometimes fatal, especially in the elderly,
13. exacerbation of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease,
14. increases in aspartate aminotransferase, increases in blood alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase and creatinine. 

Side effects that may occur rarely (1 to 10 patients in 10000) include:

1. edema,
2. insomnia,
3. gastritis.

Side effects that may occur very rarely (may affect less than 1 patient in 10) include:

1. fever,
2. sore throat
3. tiredness,
4. nose bleeds
5. flu-like symptoms
6. hepatitis,
7. jaundice,
8. enlarged liver
9. erythema multiforme, 
10. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, 
11. toxic epidermal necrolysis
12. severe allergic reactions,
13. swelling of the face
14. Tinnitus,
15. other.

Adverse reactions can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Effects of Medicinal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products (Warsaw).

See also: Ketchup as a cure for rheumatism and jaundice and other unbelievable medical stories that science verifies

Metafen – use with other drugs

Metafen in combination with other drugs may not work properly. Therefore, it is very important to inform the doctor / pharmacist about other medications you are taking. As with any paracetamol medicine, the combination of Metafen with other paracetamol medicines should be avoided due to the increased risk of serious side effects.

Metafen can affect other drugs and some drugs can affect this drug, for example:

1. acetylsalicylic acid (except for low doses of up to 75 mg per day, prescribed by a doctor), its derivatives and other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and / or corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) – increased risk of side effects,
2. diuretics – the effect of these drugs is reduced,
3. Medicines to lower blood pressure (ACE inhibitors such as captopril, beta blockers such as atenolol, angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as losartan)
4. methotrexate (a drug used in cancer diseases) and lithium salts (drugs used in psychiatry) – side effects may be intensified due to an increase in their concentration in the blood,
5. cardiac glycosides (drugs used in the treatment of heart failure) – there is a risk of increasing the concentration of digoxin in the blood and worsening of heart failure,
6. drugs with anticoagulant activity (i.e. blood thinning and preventing blood clots, such as aspirin – acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, ticlopidine),
7. rifampicin, antiepileptic drugs and barbiturates (drugs with anticonvulsant and sedative effects) – there is a risk of liver damage,
8. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors – medicines used for depression, e.g. phenelzine) – you may experience a state of agitation and high fever,
9. zidovudine (an antiviral medicine) – the bone marrow toxicity of zidovudine may be increased and bleeding time prolonged in HIV-positive patients with haemophilia (an inherited blood disorder)
10. chloramphenicol – its toxicity increases due to the increase in plasma concentration,
11. metoclopramide and other drugs that increase peristalsis (movement of food and digestive products in the gastrointestinal tract) – the absorption of paracetamol is accelerated,
12. drugs from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding,
13. cholestyramine – reduces the rate of absorption of paracetamol,
14. ciclosporin, tacrolimus (medicines given after transplantation, e.g. kidneys) – increased risk of toxic effects on the kidneys,
15. mifepristone – NSAIDs weaken its effect, quinolone antibiotics used with drugs from the NSAID group may increase the risk of seizures,
16. propantheline and other drugs that inhibit peristalsis – absorption of paracetamol is delayed.

Metafen – cena i opinie

The price of Metafen varies depending on the number of tablets in the package. The price of Metafen is as follows:

1. Metafen – 10 tablets – approx. 6 zlotys,
2. Metafen – 20 tablets – approx. 11 zlotys,
3. Metafen 50 tablets – about PLN 21.

People who take Metafen praise it primarily for its speed of action. In addition, there are many opinions that Metafen is safe to use and easy to swallow.