Anger after controversial painkiller becomes Covid-19 treatment

Strict regulations ignored in health emergency says campaigner

PAINKILLER metamizole - frequently known in Spain as the brand Nolotil - has become a frequently used weapon in the coronavirus battle despite the risk of 'horrendous' and deadly side effects.

Banned by over 40 countries across the world because of the danger, the analgesic can trigger agranulocytosis - a sudden and dangerous drop in white blood cells, a crucial part of the body’s immune system.

It can cause sepsis or a septic shock - a potentially fatal condition - or leave patients with lifechanging conditions.

However, despite new regulations being issued about the risks to health, metamizole has been embraced as a painkiller during treatment for Covid-19.

Medical research identified British, Irish, and other northern Europeans as being particularly 'at risk' to Nolotil and other medicines containing metamizole but the Spanish population has also been hit with complications linked to the drug.

Campaigner Cristina Garcia del Campo, who has researched the metamizole crisis since late 2018, has identified 30 deaths and more than 300 cases where people have suffered serious side effects.

She has written to the authorities warning of the new danger - and alerted British Ambassador Hugh Elliott, but a meeting at the embassy in Madrid was postponed because of the health emergency.

SCARED

“I think individuals should also contact the British Embassy. They need to know how angry, scared and fed up people are over having been given - and still being given - this drug,” said Cristina.

“They have also contacted the embassy through Facebook and were told the ambassador is aware of the situation and is looking into it.”

In September 2018, the national medical licensing authority (AEMPS - Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios) ordered that metamizole should only be available on prescription and under strict supervision.

It also ruled a ‘floating population’ of visitors should never be given the drug because it was impossible to adequately monitor them - yet millions of tourists visit Spain annually and several have reported being given metamizole.

Cristina, a Jávea-based medical translator who works with experts worried about the side effects of Nolotil, said:

“All the time I keep hearing on the news and seeing on television that doctors say the immune system is the key - and you need it to be strong - to fight this coronavirus to win the battle.

“I hoped people were not being given Nolotil because it does absolutely the opposite and destroys the immune system... I thought people were only being given paracetamol.”

However, when she saw media reports tell that metamizole was being recommended as a coronavirus treatment: “I just couldn’t believe it.”

DANGER

Cristina said she was worried the painkiller had contributed to the health crisis as the previous warnings of its dangers were being ignored despite her writing to the authorities.

“I fear a lot of people who have died could have pulled through if they were not taking Nolotil,” she claimed.

She said people with Covid19 symptoms were given the drug and told to stay at home; there were no blood tests 'or anything' but were just told to take it - she believes its use must be entered in medical records. “This goes against what AEMPS asked for. It should only be given after a detailed analysis of medical history to assess risk but they can only have it on prescription and after seven days they must have blood tests to monitor white blood cell levels,” said Cristina.

“Doctors are just saying ‘take it’. There is no study or follow up or blood tests or monitoring - or even if they have the virus. It is horrendous. I cannot believe they give it when their immune system needs to be strong and this drug destroys it - it’s horrific. I feel this must be stopped... I am so angry about it.”

Cristina admits Nolotil was 'a very effective painkiller' and useful when patients could not take alternatives - but only in hospital and under supervision.

“Why expose yourself to the risk if there is an alternative?”

She continues to collate information from people who have been given metamizole, those who suffer side effects, and from families of those who have died. Cristina can be contacted via her Facebook page ‘Cristina Research Information’ or by email to cristina drugresearch@gmail.com.