Use of Neo-melubrina, a banned antipyretic drug, in San Diego, California: a survey of patients and providers

Pain-Prescription Differences - An Analysis of 500,000 Discharge Summaries

BACKGROUND

Pain-relief prescriptions have led to an alarming increase in drug-related abuse.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we estimate the pain reliever prescription rates at a major German academic hospital center and compare with the nationwide trends from Germany and prescription reports from the USA.

METHODS

We analysed >500,000 discharge summaries from Charité, encompassing the years 2006 to 2015, and extracted the medications and diagnoses from each discharge summary. Prescription reports from the USA and Germany were collected and compared with the trends at Charité to identify the frequently prescribed pain relievers and their world-wide utilization trends. The average costs of pain therapy were also calculated and compared between the three regions.

RESULTS

Metamizole (dipyrone), a non-opioid analgesic, was the most commonly prescribed pain reliever at Charité (59%) and in Germany (23%) while oxycodone (29%), a semi-synthetic opioid, was most commonly ordered in the USA. Surprisingly, metamizole was prescribed to nearly 20% of all patients at Charité, a drug that has been banned for safety reasons (agranulocytosis) in most developed countries including Canada, United Kingdom, and USA. A large number of prospective cases with high risk for agranulocytosis and other side effects were found. The average cost of pain therapy greatly varied between the USA (125.3 EUR) and Charité (17.2 EUR).

CONCLUSION

The choice of pain relievers varies regionally and is often in disagreement with approved indications and regulatory guidelines. A pronounced East-West gradient was observed with metamizole use and the opposite with prescription opioids.

Pain coping in Latino populations

Although there has been a rapid increase in Latino populations in the United States over the last 10 years, health research with Latino cultural groups is sorely lacking. In the area of pain-coping research, one consequence of the limited research is that very little is known about pain coping among Latinos. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on pain coping in Latino populations, and to propose new directions for the future study of pain coping in Latino populations. This review is divided into 4 sections. In the first section, the challenges of defining Latino populations are discussed. In the second section, the current literature on pain coping in Latinos is reviewed. Third, we discuss the implications of existing findings for pain-coping assessment and pain treatment. Finally, we offer ideas for future research on pain coping in Latino populations.

PERSPECTIVE

In this review article, we identify gaps in our current understanding of pain coping in Latino cultural groups, and associated implications for pain assessment and treatment. We also highlight potential directions for future pain-coping research with Latino populations.

Pattern of dipyrone exposure in Texas, 1998 to 2004

INTRODUCTION

Dipyrone is an analgesic and antipyretic agent. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of dipyrone exposures reported to poison centers.

METHODS

Human dipyrone exposures reported to 6 Texas poison centers from 1998 to 2004 were identified. Isolated and non-isolated cases were compared with respect to various factors.

RESULTS

When compared to the Census, dipyrone exposures were significantly more likely to have been reported from regions closer to the Mexican border (53% vs 9%). Of 81 dipyrone exposures, 52 (64%) were isolated and 29 (36%) were non-isolated. Most of the dipyrone exposures occurred at the patient's own residence (72/76 or 95%) and the patients were more likely to be female (54/81 or 67%). Although the majority of both types of dipyrone exposures were adults (47/78 or 60%), children, less than 6 years of age, accounted for a higher proportion of isolated exposures (33% vs 10%) while a higher proportion of non-isolated exposures involved older children (28% vs 8%). Twenty-two percent (11/51) of isolated cases were intentional while 59% (17/29) of non-isolated cases were intentional. Of those cases with a known medical outcome, the medical outcome was no adverse clinical effect for 76% (16/21) of isolated exposures and 42% (8/19) of non-isolated exposures. The specific adverse clinical effects reported for isolated exposures were primarily neurological (n = 6), gastrointestinal (n = 4), and dermal (n = 3). The most frequently reported treatment for isolated exposures was some form of decontamination (n = 11).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated and non-isolated dipyrone exposures varied with respect to patient age, exposure reason, management site, medical outcome.

Imported compounded diet pill use among Brazilian women immigrants in the United States

In Brazil, compounded diet pills that combine amphetamines, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, diuretics and laxatives are often prescribed. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration banned their sale in the United States (US) citing substantial safety concerns. This study evaluates the prevalence of, and factors associated with, use of these pills among Brazilian immigrant women aged 18-50. Pill use was assessed at one clinic and two churches using an anonymous survey (n = 307). While living in the US, 18% of clinic respondents and 9% of church respondents reported using these diet pills. Nearly two thirds of pill users reported adverse effects. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, being unmarried, college educated, dissatisfied with current weight, and advised by a US physician to lose weight were associated with greater odds of imported diet pill use. To enhance care of Brazilian immigrants, US physicians should become familiar with the health consequences of imported diet pills from Brazil.

Metamizole use among Hispanics in Miami: report of a survey conducted in a primary care setting

BACKGROUND

Metamizole (dipyrone) is a myelotoxic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that has been banned from the US market since 1979. However, dipyrone may be purchased in some areas of the US. We conducted a survey in a primary care setting in Miami, Florida to determine the prevalence of metamizole possession and use among Hispanics living in this area.

METHODS

Participants consisted of 137 Hispanic outpatients interviewed consecutively during a primary care visit in the month of February 2005.

RESULTS

Metamizole was possessed by 28% of the surveyed population. The most common reasons for using dipyrone were pain (72%) and fever (24%). The vast majority of patients had purchased the medication in Latin America (95%), in most instances without a prescription (95%). Nineteen patients (13%) had used the medication during the previous year.

CONCLUSIONS

Metamizole is available to Latino immigrants who reside in the US, despite the FDA ban imposed in 1977.

Metamizol (dipyrone, optalgin) in pregnancy, is it safe? A prospective comparative study

AIM

To assess the teratogenic effect of metamizol when used during the first trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

One hundred and eight women who used metamizol during the first trimester of pregnancy were recruited from 4 teratogen information centers in Israel (3) and in Italy (1). The study group was paired for age, smoking habits and alcohol consumption with a comparative group exposed to acetaminophen.

RESULTS

Maternal demographics and history, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, rate of live births, spontaneous abortions and fetal distress were comparable in both groups. The rate of major malformations in the metamizol group (3%) did not differ significantly from the rate in the comparative group (2%) (P = 0.57, relative risk = 1.55, 95% confidence interval 0.26-9.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data may suggest that exposure to metamizol during the first trimester of pregnancy is probably not associated with a significantly increased risk for malformations or spontaneous abortions.

Dipyrone Overdose

BACKGROUND

Dipyrone is a pyrazolone derivative used as an analgesic and antipyretic. Agranulocytosis, dipyrone's most serious and potentially fatal adverse effect, has led to its withdrawal in several countries. However, agranulocytosis is subject to geographical variability, ratio with at risks ranging from 0.8-23.7. In many countries dipyrone is still widely used in adults and children and even as an over-the-counter (OTC) preparation. Information on the effects of dipyrone overdose is scanty.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of dipyrone overdose.

METHODS

Retrospective review of prospectively collected poison center data on acute exposure to dipyrone over a three-year period. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis. Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square analysis were performed where relevant.

RESULTS

A total of 243 records met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median age was 17y (4m-83y), median amount 5 g (250 mg-45 g), and median time to consultation was 2 h (5 min-48 h). Toxic events (49) occurred in 39 (16%) patients; 57% of these were gastrointestinal and all were mild. Time to consultation was longer in the symptomatic patients (4 h vs. 1.5 h, respectively, p=0.001) and in children (8 h vs. 3.5 h in adults). Suicidal patients ingested significantly larger amounts (8 g vs. 3.7 g, respectively, p=0.001), as did patients with gastrointestinal symptomatology (7.5 g vs. 5 g in asymptomatics, p=0.001). No agranulocytosis was reported.

DISCUSSION

Dipyrone overdose is associated with mild, mainly gastrointestinal toxicity; this was noted at a median dose of 7.5 g. Early gastrointestinal decontamination may have prevented toxicity. The suggested treatment includes gastrointestinal decontamination (if <1 h since ingestion) and supportive measures.

Metamizole use by Latino immigrants: a common and potentially harmful home remedy

A 4-year-old boy presented with fever, septic arthritis, and persistent neutropenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed no evidence of neoplasia. Additional history disclosed that the patient had been given metamizole for pain before onset of his illness. Metamizole, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent, is prohibited in the United States because of the risk of agranulocytosis but is widely used in Mexico and other countries. The increasing number of Latinos in the United States and the extensive cross-border transfer of medicines raise concerns that metamizole use and associated complications may become more frequent. After identification of the index patient, additional inquiry revealed that the patient's mother was hospitalized previously for overwhelming sepsis associated with metamizole use. These cases prompted an investigation of metamizole use in an urban pediatric clinic, which revealed that 35% of Spanish-speaking Latino families had used metamizole; 25% of these families had purchased the medication in the United States. We conclude that metamizole use is common and may be underrecognized in immigrant Latino patients. Physicians in the United States, especially those who practice primary care, hematology/oncology, and infectious diseases, must be aware of the availability and use of metamizole in specific patient populations and its potential for harmful side effects.