Warning: The drug prescribed as a common painkiller to holidaymakers in Spain that is potentially ‘toxic’ for Brits
William “Billy” Smyth, 66, from Ireland died from septic shock after taking Nolotil for five days – a drug banned in the UK and Ireland
AN IRISH dad has died after being prescribed a ‘toxic’ painkiller banned in the UK and Ireland while holidaying in Spain.
William “Billy” Smyth, from Mullingar, visited a GP in Torrevieja in February and was given a five-day course of Nolotil.
But when the 66-year-old returned to a different Spanish doctor to get a renewal of his normal medications in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low.
Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required “radical surgery” to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life, .
The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil.
The drug is a brand name for Metamizole, an anti-inflammatory medication used for the treatment of mild pain such as toothaches, headaches, arthralgia, neuralgia, myositis, mild to moderate visceral pain and high fever.
While the drug is available and dispensed in countries like Spain, it’s banned in Ireland, the UK, the US, Australia and several other EU countries.
Sun Doctor Carol Cooper said: “It does have toxic effects in some people and it’s not always easy to predict which people.
“It is more likely to cause trouble for people who have asthma and other allergies. There is research that shows that there could be a gene that makes it more toxic.
“It’s potentially more toxic to Brits and Irish than Americans.”
Billy’s son Derek told how when his father returned to the GP to pick up his regular meds, he informed the doctor he’d been suffering from flu-like symptoms for weeks.
Derek said: “He couldn’t shake a common cold and the sore throat he had.
“The GP checked him out and found his white blood cell count was very low and called an ambulance to take him to emergency straight away.”
There it became clear the Nolotil had poisoned his bone marrow and reduced his body’s ability to fight infection by lowering his white blood cell count.
Derek explained: “This is a known side-effect of the drug which the hospital doctors said is particularly a problem for people of British and Irish decent.
“The second GP who sent him to hospital afterwards also stated it was ‘common knowledge’ not to prescribe English or Irish people this drug.”
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Derek, who flew with his sister Stephanie Hutchinson to be by his dad’s side, said Billy had never complained about being sick.
Speaking about Billy’s operation he explained: “My father remained in a coma following surgery.
“He developed multiple organ failure, received a colostomy, kidney dialysis and many life saving measures but on April 17 my father died from septic shock due to the complications developed from taking Nolotil.
“We’re obviously upset that the drug was prescribed to him but at the end of the day, the drug is legal in certain countries.
“There’s nothing on the paperwork to say don’t give it to Irish people, it’s just more common knowledge among doctors.
“My dad was there for a short time and already another Irish man was admitted for illness caused by the drug.
“Irish people should be cautious and think twice about what they’re taking. If they even stop for a couple of seconds and think, they could save their lives.
“In the coming days, weeks and months, there are tens of thousands leaving Ireland and heading to Spain for the holiday of a lifetime.
“I wish that none of them will inadvertently take a medication that may kill them.”
Metamizole was first introduced into clinical use in Germany in 1922 under the brand name Novalgin.
For many years it was available over-the-counter in most countries, until its toxicities became apparent.
A spokesperson for the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) told independent.ie that Nolotil (Metamizole) has never been authorised for use in Ireland.
"In addition to Spain, Metamizole has been authorised and marketed under various trade names in some other EU member states including Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
"Metamizole is authorised in the above countries for the treatment of moderate or severe acute pain and high fever not responding to general therapeutic measures.
"It is known to be associated with a risk of blood disorders, including agranulocytosis (low white cell count)."