Nolotil (Metamizol): uses, characteristics and side effects

A drug that, in spite of having diverse uses, can generate serious side effects.

Trauma, cuts, inflammations, infections... There are many elements that can cause different types and degrees of physical pain.

Although the perception of pain is in principle adaptive as it lets us know that something is not working properly or is causing us harm (and we can try to do something to avoid it), the truth is that it is usually extremely aversive, being something that most people would prefer to avoid experiencing.

In addition, pain, when intense, can be highly disabling to the point of preventing our functionality, especially when it is due to elements over which we have no direct control or that require a process to be cured or solved. Fortunately, throughout history, different substances have been discovered and later synthesized to reduce nociception or pain perception. One of them is the drug known as Nolotilof which we are going to talk about in this article.

What is Nolotil and what is it used for?

The name Nolotil refers to the trade name of a relatively common drug in our country, whose main active ingredient is metamizole or dipyrone.. The mechanism of action of this drug is not entirely known, although it has been observed to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins that contribute to the activation of nociceptors.

It is a drug whose best known use comes from its effects as an analgesic, reducing and treating the pain caused by different diseases and alterations.. In addition, it also has an antipyretic effect, being able to reduce fever, and antispasmolytic (i.e. it also has an effect in reducing muscle spasms and the pain associated with them). Although technically it is not an anti-inflammatory, in supratherapeutic doses it has shown to be useful to calm and reduce inflammations, although the dose used for this purpose may generate toxicity.

It is available in a wide variety of possible presentations, among which the most common is the following: in the form of a hard capsule to be taken orally.. However, it can also be found in ampoule form (also to be taken orally). It is also available in injectable form for parenteral administration (although it should only be used in very specific cases) or even for anal administration in the form of a suppository.

Nolotil has greater potency than others commonly used such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, but on the other hand it also has greater risks and side effects and even toxic effects that have caused it to be banned in some countries.

Main indications

As we have already mentioned, Nolotil has analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic and even in certain doses Anti-Inflammatory properties.It can be used for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders.

The most common is its use in acute pain, especially in the case of those typical of surgical interventions or derived from traumatisms. Also is also used to alleviate pain of oncological type (i.e. generated by tumors) or in colic and spasms of visceral or muscular origin. It is not infrequently also used in dentistry.

Despite its power to reduce fever, it is usually used only when it cannot be reduced with other antipyretic drugs. Although it is sometimes popularly used for headache or headache, it is not recommended due to the risks involved.

Side effects

Nolotil is a drug that enjoys great popularity and has shown great usefulness in the treatment of pain caused by various diseases and conditions, but however it can also generate a number of side effects and even toxic. a number of side effects and even toxic effects that are that are worth taking into account.

Among the most frequent we can find a probable drop in blood pressure, which can lead to hypotension. Allergic reactions and rashes, gastrointestinal discomfort and respiratory difficulties may also appear.

More serious and less frequent are the presence of arrhythmias, severe allergic reactions (which may lead to anaphylactic shock), leukopenia or decrease of white blood cells in the blood, toxic necrolysis of the skin, urination difficulties, renal inflammation, hemorrhages in the kidneysThe above-mentioned side effects can be severe allergic reactions, difficulties in urination, renal inflammation, hemorrhages in the digestive tract or even an abrupt and extreme drop in blood pressure (something that is very dangerous).

One of the possible side effects of its administration and one of the reasons why it has been banned in countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States is agranulocytosis (an alteration in which one of the types of leukocytes or white blood cells is reduced in such a way that the body is much more fragile, which can lead to death). Another possible life-threatening side effect could be sepsis or generalized infectionas well as kidney failure.

Contraindications

In addition to the above side effects and partly based on them, it is necessary to take into account that Nolotil also presents contraindications or situations in which the suitability of its use should be carefully analyzed..

To begin with, all those who are hypersensitive or allergic to this drug or to others of similar composition should avoid taking Nolotil, including obviously all those who have presented agranulocytosis derived from previous applications of the same. Also people with asthma of any typeAlso people with asthma of any type, allergic reactions to analgesics, cases of acute intermittent hepatic porphyria, bone marrow or blood problems or genetic problems related to glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

It is also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, both in the mother and in the baby.It is also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, both in the mother and in the child. It is also not recommended for people of advanced age or with renal or hepatic problems, as well as for those with already low or unstable blood pressure. Caution is also recommended in the use of vehicles or dangerous machinery if it is used in high doses, and its consumption should be avoided together with alcohol or other drugs (with caution also in the case of drugs).

Bibliographic references:

• Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (2011).Prospectus: Information for the user. Nolotil 575 mg hard capsules. Metamizole magnesium. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aemps.gob.es/cima/pdfs/es/ft/47633/47633_ft.pdf
• Buitrago-Gonzalez, T.P.; Calderon-Ospina, C.A. and Vallejos-Narvaez, A. (2014).Dipyrone: underestimated benefits or overstated risks? Literature review. Colombian Journal of Chemical-Pharmaceutical Sciences, 43 (1). Bogotá.