Abstract
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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 924-926 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Southern medical journal |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2006 |
Keywords
- Agranulocytosis
- Hispanic Americans
- Metamizole
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine