They all sound familiar to us: Aspirin, Enantyum, Efferalgan… They are that, according to the Report of the National Health System (SNS), published by the Ministry of Health, are the most consumed in our country.
They are followed by psycholeptics (antidepressants) and those that act on the system renin-angiotensin (for patients with arterial hypertension).
This ‘top ten’ is closed by anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs and against diseases obstructive airways.
And it is a reality: the population is getting more and more medication.
In 2021, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a new record was set with 1,033 million boxes of medicines sold under the National Health System. However, there is something that does not change year after year.
He Nolotil It is the most sold drug in Spain. Only in the last year, more than 22.4 million units sold.
It is a medication for acute pain treatment or intense after a surgical or post-traumatic operation, both of the colic type (which begins and ends suddenly and is usually intense) and of tumor origin.
It is also indicated for the treatment of fever when other drugs have not worked.
The active principle of Nolotil is metamizole magnesium, as well as magnesium stearate, indigotine, erythrosine, titanium dioxide and gelatin.
For this reason, it is only sold with medical prescription and should be used for short-term treatments to relieve severe pain.
What are the side effects of Nolotil?
The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) emphasizes that the most frequent after taking this medication is hypotension, that is, a decrease in blood pressure.
It manifests as lack of concentration, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and blurred vision, and can occur in one in ten people.
Although less frequent, to one in 100 people, they can also present rashes and skin reactions.
The AEMPS advises stopping treatment immediately if “non-raised reddish patches, or circular or target-shaped patches appear on the thorax, frequently with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes”.
These severe skin rashes may be preceded by fever and other symptoms. You should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Very rare are allergic reactions, rashes and hives on the skin or leukopenia (decreased number of white blood cells).
However, although it is very rare, a severe decrease in white blood cells can occur, which is called agranulocytosis which, unlike leukopenia, can cause death.
Agranulocytosis: The worst consequence of Nolotil
As explained by (SEMI), agranulocytosis is a blood disease in which the count of granulocytes blood is low. The normal number of leukocytes in the blood is 5 to 7 thousand per cubic millimeter.
These leukocytes play a fundamental role in the defense of our body against the infections.
“In general, bacteria, parasites or viruses, and also in the inflammatory response to any aggression, for example, a blow or trauma. The existence of agranulocytosis leaves the subject with fewer defenses against infections, and these can be more serious.
Why is it produced?
It can be caused by various reasons. Most of them due to exposure to chemicals.
“To treat a malignant tumor, chemotherapy is given. These drugs attack the dividing cells of the body, not only the cancerous ones, which is why it is common for the subject to become bald, and also to run out of granulocytes”, stresses SEMI.
It also “arises from an abnormal response of our body to a substance, there is an autoimmune disease or abnormality in the spleen.”
What are your symptoms?
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Fever.
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General discomfort.
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Sore throat.
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Ulcers in the mouth.
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Weakness.
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In the worst case, pneumonia or shock.
Treatment
The diagnosis can only be made by a blood test. And the main treatment, if it is due to the consumption of a specific medication, is its suspension. Drugs that help the body increase the production of white blood cells may also be used.
Its prognosis “is related to its intensity and its duration. In extreme cases it is very serious” and can cause death due to serious infections.
other effects
They do not have a known frequency, specifies the AEMPS, but they should not be discarded:
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Sepsis (serious infection of the whole body that can cause death).
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Anaphylactic shock.
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Intestinal bleeding.
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Chromaturia (abnormal coloration of urine).
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inflammation of the liver
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Aplastic anemia (failure in the production of cells in the bone marrow and blood).
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Yellowing of the skin.