Metamizole is an ampyrone sulfonate analgesic (pain reliever), antispasmodic (spasm reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) similar to paracetamol in that it has minimal anti-inflammatory effects and which is most commonly given orally or parenterally (by injection) to prevent and treat pain related to surgery or for the treatment of acute pain.
It was first invented by Germans in 1920 then introduced into clinical use in Germany in 1922,and for many years it was available over-the-counter in most countries,until its toxicities became apparent, although in some countries it is available over-the-counter, its use is usually restricted in developed countries, due to its potential for hematological side effects，especially causing the risk of granulocytopenia.
About the side effects:
Granulocytes is a type of white blood cell, and the decrease in them can cause a decrease in immunity and an increased risk of infection. According to the instructions, the risk of granulocyte deficiency from using metamizole is 1.1%. In addition, metamizole may cause a variety of blood system diseases-autoimmune hemolysis, thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia, etc.
How to reduce fever safely?
There are many relatively safe antipyretic and analgesic drugs on the market, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which become better alternative medicines.
What's more, fever does not cause any harm other than discomfort in children, and it is obviously not worth the risk of granulocyte deficiency or even the disease of aplastic anemia just to relieve the discomfort of fever.
If a doctor insists on prescribing metamizole to reduce fever, we as parents should refuse to use it. As an alternative, we can make our children drink enough water, and under the case of reducing fever and pain, we can go for acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
