Analgin is perhaps the most famous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It effectively eliminates muscular and nervous pain, and also reduces temperature.
But can this medication harm? Can there be an overdose of analgin? And what is the risk of consuming too much of the drug? Many people are interested in these questions, so it’s worth giving answers now.
Composition and mechanism of action
I would like to start with this. The composition of dipyrone is simple, it includes only one active substance - metamizole sodium, which is a powerful analgesic and antipyretic belonging to the group of pyrazolones.
Also in the tablet preparation there are auxiliary, pharmacologically neutral substances - powdered sugar, potato starch, talc and calcium stearate. The medicine, produced in ampoules, contains only metamizole sodium.
What is analgin's mechanism of action? This drug reduces the formation of bradykinins, free radicals, some prostaglandins, and endoperoxides. It also inhibits lipid peroxidation and has a depressing effect on cyclooxygenase activity. In addition, the tool raises the threshold of excitability and blocks pain impulses. They simply do not pass through the bundles of Burdach and Gaulle.
When does the drug help?
Indications for the use of analgin are also worth listing. This drug can help if a person is faced with any of the following:
- Toothache and headache.
- Gall and renal colic.
- Pain with burns, injuries.
- Myalgia, neuralgia, menalgia.
- Pain after surgery.
- Fever.
- High temperature, not responding to other measures.
- Chronic or acute intense pain, in which other therapeutic measures are impossible.
It is important to make a reservation that the administration of the drug is shown parenterally only if it is impossible to do this enterally (through the mouth).
Causes of Analgin Overdose
And they must be noted with attention. As a rule, drug poisoning is possible for the following reasons:
- Drug abuse in chronic pain, which is caused by some kind of long-term illness.
- Taking the drug for impaired renal and hepatic function.
- The joint use of tablets with funds belonging to the group of barbiturates. These include Anaprilin, Codeine, as well as many other antihistamines. They enhance the effect of analgin. So the use of medicines even in therapeutic doses will provoke intoxication.
Therefore, before using this popular anti-inflammatory drug, you must consult your doctor.
Recommendations for use
In order to prevent poisoning with analginum, the instructions for the drug should be studied necessarily. Even if it says that the dosage depends on the intensity of the fever and pain, this does not mean that you can drink 5 tablets at once and be calm for your health.
Therefore, it is important to remember information regarding the recommended and maximum dosage. According to the instructions for analginum, it is:
- For children from 10 to 14 years old weighing from 32 to 53 kg - 1 tablet once and 4 maximum.
- For adults and adolescents over 15 years of age and weighing over 53 kg - 1-2 tablets once and up to a maximum of 8.
In no case should you take several at once for a faster effect. Tablets begin to act 30-60 minutes after administration. If the drug was administered parenterally, the pain will begin to subside faster.
By the way, if you decide to give an injection, you need to focus on such recommendations: for children - 500-2000 mg, for adults - 1000-4000 mg.
Symptoms
The following symptoms indicate an overdose of analgin:
- General weakness.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Heaviness in the head.
- Noise in ears.
- Tachycardia.
- Psychomotor agitation.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Hypothermia.
In severe cases, the consequences of an overdose of analgin are convulsions that cover the respiratory muscles, as well as urine that turns red or hot pink. In practice, there are cases of cyanosis and subsequent immersion in a coma, reaching 4-5 points on the Glasgow scale.
Long-term use of the drug in large quantities leads to inhibition of hematopoiesis processes. The result of this is granulocytopenia (a decrease in granulocytes in the blood) and agranulocytosis (a decrease in the number of leukocytes).
There are also problems with the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, intestinal and stomach ulcers, disturbances in the production of hydrochloric acid. This is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Burping.
- Heartburn.
- Discomfort in the epigastric region.
- Bloating.
- Indigestion.
- Hunger pain with an ulcer.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
It should also be noted that analgin poisoning leads to the development of allergic reactions. They can occur in different forms - urticaria, allergic edema, or even anaphylactic shock.
Effects
And it is necessary to talk about them, since we are talking about an overdose of analgin. First of all, it should be noted that this drug inflicts a severe blow to the vessels, liver, kidneys, circulatory system and lungs (in some cases).
In the blood, the number of platelets and leukocytes decreases sharply. As a result, the immune system weakens, and the body ceases to contain microscopic cloisters. Because of this, inflammation of the mucous membranes and tissue necrosis occur, ulcers in the intestines and stomach begin to form ..
The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is also affected, which leads to tonsillitis, inflammation of the gums. In the lungs, bronchi, trachea, and even in the urinary tract, lesions also form.
In especially severe cases, bleeding is possible due to a decrease in platelets. Also, bronchitis, tracheitis and pharyngitis that are not treatable often develop. In parallel, there is a decrease in urination. If you pass urine for analysis, accumulations of bacteria and protein will be detected in it.
But, perhaps, one of the most serious consequences of an overdose of analgin is liver poisoning. This is indicated by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, itching and accumulation of bilirubin in the blood.
First aid
The indications for the use of analgin, the symptoms of drug poisoning and the consequences have already been described above. Now we need to talk about how to act in case of poisoning.
Before the arrival of the ambulance, which must be called first, you will have to do a gastric lavage - drink about a half liter of water and provoke vomiting. Repeat the action several times.
If a person’s consciousness is confused or completely absent, this method is unacceptable. In this case, you need to lay the victim on one side and wait for the arrival of doctors.
Treatment
It is carried out in stationary conditions. The treatment includes the following procedures:
- Forced diuresis. The patient is injected into the blood 4-5 liters of plasma substitutes, as a result of which the volume of circulating blood increases. The kidneys begin to actively remove toxic substances from the body.
- Active detoxification through stimulation of the stool. A person is given a laxative or an enteric solution is introduced into the stomach to wash the intestines.
- Adsorbent therapy. Use activated charcoal or sodium hypochlorite.
- Hemodialysis. In severe poisoning, the patient’s blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane.
If the overdose is serious, resuscitation may be necessary. They are carried out in case of lack of consciousness, convulsive syndrome, impaired urination, blood circulation and with psychosomatic disorders.
If a person took 5-8 grams of the substance, and he was not provided with help on time, he may die.