|
PAINKILLER POSES RISKS FOR HISPANICS
(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds the public of the dangers of buying and using prescription medications from outside the United States.
Recently, a four-year-old Latino boy in Utah was treated for fever, stiff joints and a low white blood cell count after his parents treated him with Metamizole. Metamizole has potentially fatal side effects that include a severe white blood cell deficiency that can lead to fatal infection if left untreated.
Metamizole is also known by the generic names - Dipyrone, Mexican Aspirin and brand names - Neo-Melubrina, Magnopyrol, and Prodolina. FDA approval for the drug was withdrawn in 1977, but sales continue in Mexico and other developing countries. The drug is used to treat severe pain and fever. It may be mixed with other medications for stomach, gastrointestinal and kidney pain, nausea and vomiting.
Many county residents purchase medications from across the border or from illegal back-room stores not knowing the serious side effects or interactions they may have with the medications. Consumers should stop using these products and seek medical advice from a licensed physician.
The Health Care Agency’s toll-free health referral line, 1 (800) 564-8448, provides information about low-cost health resources in Orange County. Also, the Safe Healthcare Project, initiated in 1999, provides public education to the community and distributes a list of low-cost community health resources. To order materials or a group presentation by the Safe Healthcare Project, please call (714) 796-8295 or (714) 796-0251 or additional information may be obtained from the Web site www.ochealthinfo.com/safehealth.
###
|
