Nolotil, a drug also known as metamizole, is a chemical compound discovered at the beginning of the first half of the 20th century, belonging to the pyrazolone family. Its main use is as an analgesic (pain reduction), antipyretic (relief of symptoms that accompany fever) and spasmolytic (medicine that prevents or eradicates spasms). The time estimated life is 4 hours and expelled through urine and feces; Available routes of administration include oral, subcutaneous, intravenous and intramuscular.
It was in 1920 that Hoechst HG (now part of Sanofi), a German drug company, first synthesized metamizole. A couple of years later, in 1922, its mass production began, which led almost 4 generations to the uncontrolled consumption of this drug, which could be found without a prescription. However, towards the decade of the 70s, a series of investigations revealed that there was a great risk to taking this drug because it could produce granulocytes (disease that affects the white blood cells in the blood); Even today, other contraindications are feared.
The most favorable route by which a greater percentage of the drug can be absorbed is orally, reaching an established maximum concentration is a similar period of 1 to 1.5 hours. In many countries the decision has been made that this drug is not fully available (as in many it is used as a veterinary drug) or it has been banned entirely. Sweden was the first of many nations to take these steps, to be followed by the United States, Japan, Australia, and other territories. In Latin America it is still available without a medical prescription, which has caused, on different occasions, intoxication accidents.
