British press revives Nolotil controversy in Spain

it may well be deja vu But no, the Nolotil controversy (the brand under which the analgesic metamizole is marketed) is back. Again encouraged by the English press, which has accused Spanish health officials of endangering British lives.

,“Russian Roulette.” An article published in a British newspaper Wire A new controversy has arisen in Spain regarding the use of Nolotil. The newspaper quotes a British patient who developed agranulocytosis after two months of treatment with the drug: “It’s like they were playing Russian roulette with the patients.”

The newspaper also cites the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) to explain the incidence of these cases (between one and 10 cases per million), and the fact that the agency today recommends that doctors determine the origin of patients. Keep in mind. When prescribing the drug, and to guarantee being able to monitor the treatment, it is not prescribed to tourists.

The piece has generated controversy on social networks. On the one hand, various users he has repeated through news Twitter, The name of the social network has been changed today x A context note has been added to the publication in which the piece of information was disseminated.

Metamizole. This medication is classified by AEMPS as an analgesic and antipyretic (that is, its main action is to relieve pain and reduce fever). Its use is banned in many countries. In many EU countries, such as Italy or Germany, its use is limited to medical prescription.

Others where its sale is restricted include France, Ireland or Sweden. This medicine is also not available in the United Kingdom.

Spain is among the first group of countries to require a medical prescription when dispensing this medicine. However, its use has been increasing in recent years.

Risk of agranulocytosis. The obvious question is what risks lie behind these limitations and disputes. The answer lies in agranulocytosis, a deficiency of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell. This problem is one of the possible adverse reactions of this treatment.

Nolotil is one of many treatments with potential adverse effects, this is hardly strange, but there is a possibility (a “potential problem” according to some studies) that certain genetic factors present in Northern European populations make some people more prone to this adverse effect. Make sensitive. feedback.

The truth is that, so far, we do not have a precise idea of ​​what are the biochemical mechanisms that influence the consumption of this drug associated with the disappearance of granulocytes. The genetic component is also less.

A cyclical dispute. There is nothing new in the controversy. In November last year, a lawsuit by the Association of People Affected by Drugs (ADAF) had caused controversy. newspaper on that occasion Guardian In which the risks associated with the consumption of the medicine were highlighted.

It would not be surprising if this controversy remains with us for a long time as Spain is currently far from joining the club of countries that have definitively banned this drug. In the meantime, monitoring by health authorities and a certain degree of personal responsibility will be necessary to avoid new problems.

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