Metamizole
Also sold as: Novalgin
Prescription neededPainkillers
Comes as:TabletDropsInjection
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 500 mg to 1 g up to 3 or 4 times a day when needed. Do not take more than 4 g in 24 hours. Use only for a short time and only if a doctor advises it.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- sweating
- low blood pressure after injection
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- sudden fever
- sore throat or mouth ulcers (sign of very low white blood cells)
- severe allergic reaction
- severe skin rash
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Previous reaction to metamizole or similar medicines
- Blood disorders or low white blood cell count
- Pregnancy, especially the last 3 months
- Breastfeeding
- G6PD deficiency
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Methotrexate
Both can lower blood cell counts; using them together raises the risk of serious blood problems.