Despite being the best-selling analgesic in Spain as of June 2023, Nolotil continues to cause controversy in other countries. The latest to join the list of those who want to throw it out of pharmacies is Finland, where is your drug agency report, Fimeaconcludes that the security measures taken so far are insufficient.
Metamizole, known by the trade name Nolotil, is a analgesic and antipyretic very effective. However, in some people it may cause a side effect known as agranulocytosis, which in the most severe cases can lead to death. Sensitivity to this side effect has a high genetic component. Therefore, its incidence varies greatly in different parts of the world.
In Spain, for example, it is 1-10 cases per million consumers. But in other countries, such as the UK, this figure is much higher. It is for this reason that pharmacies in Spain are prohibited from selling it. tourists. This is just one of the safety considerations that need to be taken into account. But this is not enough for Finland. Fimea demands a complete ban on metamizole. For them, the benefit-risk ratio clearly leans towards the latter.
Risks of Nolotil
Agranulocytosis is a significant decrease in the level of white blood cells known as neutrophils. Because they are an important component of the immune system, their decline leaves patients vulnerable to many infections. Some may be mild, but life-threatening pneumonia or sepsis can also occur. Therefore they should take extreme precautionsespecially with high-risk patients.
This risk depends on several factors. It is logical that if there have previously been reactions to taking metamizole, Nolotil should not be prescribed. They are also at greater risk old people. But above all, there appears to be a genetic component that varies greatly from one person to another. geographical regions to others. It is for this reason that incidence varies greatly depending on the study site.
Internationally, the incidence is usually set at one case per million, as is the case in Spain. However, there have been studies in countries such as Sweden that show much more alarming numbers, such as one case of agranulocytosis for every 1,439 drug prescriptions. metamizole
For this reason, each country is starting to take its own measures, becoming increasingly strict, as seems to be the case in Finland.
Measures against metamizole in Spain
The low incidence of agranulocytosis caused by metamizole in Spain has led to its use not being completely banned in that country. However, there are a number of measures that doctors and pharmacists should implement.
The first, aimed at pharmacists, is not to sell Nolotil without medical prescription. Doctors may prescribe it, but only for short courses of treatment or those that need to be closely monitored. People who are in transit and therefore unable to undergo medical supervision should never receive a prescription for Nolotil. The same is true for patients from high-risk countries such as the UK.
But even if all this is true, patients should be informed about the possible symptoms of agranulocytosis. These include, but are not limited to, fever, chills, weakness, sore throat, mouth or throat sores, bleeding gums, bone pain, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor and stop treatment.
What will happen in Finland?
Following complaints from Finnish health authorities European Medicines Agency has launched an investigation that could result in a ban on metamizole throughout Europe. In this case, Nolotil will also not be able to be sold in Spain.
Until the results of this investigation are received, Finland can only impose a ban within its borders. Perhaps this is yours first measure. At the moment it is no longer available, but it is clear that if we take this drug we should always do so with great caution. Even if our country is considered a low-risk country.
Source: Hiper Textual
