Skip to main content

What is Metamizole used for?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on March 19, 2025.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Metamizole (dipyrone) is a pain reliever that’s also used to treat muscle spasms and fever. It is not approved for use in the United States.

Metamizole is widely used in many other countries, including Mexico, countries of the European Union and South America where it is approved for use in people and animals. It is available by prescription or as an over-the-counter product, depending on the country.

Comparable drugs available in the U.S. include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Metamizole works in a similar way as NSAIDs, but is not classified as an NSAID. Metamizole is from the ampyrone sulfonate family of medicines.

Metamizole Dosage

The typical adult dosage of dipyrone is 500 mg to 1,000 mg by mouth, taken 2 to 3 times daily. It is also available for intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) or rectal administration. The European Medicines Agency recommends setting the following maximum dosage amounts in people ages 15 and older:

  • A single dose by mouth of 1,000 mg taken up to 4 times daily (max daily dose of 4,000 mg)
  • If given by injection, the total daily dose should not be more than 5,000 mg.

Related questions

Metamizole Uses

Common uses of metamizole include treating pain that:

  • Happens after surgery
  • Occurs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
  • Is from cancer
  • Comes with migraine headache

Metamizole Side Effects

Common metamizole side effects include:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Chest pain and arrhythmias
  • Nausea and upset stomach
  • Dizziness
  • Kidney problems
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash

Rare, but serious side effects include:

  • Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • Blood disorders

Metamizole is banned in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and parts of Europe. The reason is that metamizole was found to cause agranulocytosis (a life-threatening blood disorder).

References
  1. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Metamizole containing medicinal products. March 20, 2019. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/referrals/metamizole-containing-medicinal-products. [Accessed March 18, 2022].
  2. Drugs.com. Metamizole. 2022. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/international/metamizole.html. [Accessed March 18, 2022].
  3. Hearn L, Derry S, Moore RA. Single dose dipyrone (metamizole) for acute postoperative pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;4(4):CD011421. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011421.pub2.
  4. Jasiecka A, Maślanka T, Jaroszewski JJ. Pharmacological characteristics of metamizole. Pol J Vet Sci. 2014;17(1):207-214. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24724493/.
  5. Medecins Sans Frontiers. Medical Guidelines: Metamizole. Available at: https://medicalguidelines.msf.org/viewport/EssDr/english/metamizole-dipyrone-noramidopyrine-oral-16684113.html. [Accessed March 18, 2022].
  6. MIMS. Metamizole. 2022. Available at: https://www.mims.com/hongkong/drug/info/metamizole?mtype=generic#:~:text=Symptoms%3A%20Nausea%2C%20vomiting%2C%20headache,%2C%20hypotension%2C%20shock%2C%20tachycardia. [Accessed March 18, 2022].
  7. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ibuprofen tablets 200 mg. November 3, 2021. Available at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=119263b5-c3b7-46dc-a3bd-9893bfd24628&type=pdf. [Accessed March 18, 2022].
  8. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Naproxen sodium tablet. December 30, 2021. Available at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=0c9222e0-81e7-4591-b071-14b0e9cbf01e&type=pdf. [Accessed March 18, 2022].

Read next

What is low dose naltrexone (LDN)?

Low dose naltrexone means taking a dose of naltrexone that is up to one-tenth, or 10%, of the dose that is usually taken for opioid addiction. A low dose of naltrexone is approximately 4.5mg of naltrexone a day compared with the usual dosage of naltrexone for opioid addiction which is 50mg to 100mg a day. Continue reading

Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?

Despite popular belief that you have to take ibuprofen with food, you can take ibuprofen on an empty stomach and this will give you faster pain relief than taking it with food. Food increases the time it takes for ibuprofen to be absorbed, although it won't affect how much is absorbed. There is actually no evidence that taking ibuprofen with food prevents gastric irritation – ibuprofen at OTC doses has a low incidence of gastric irritation anyway. Continue reading

Can you take expired ibuprofen?

Although taking expired ibuprofen is not recommended by the manufacturer, the actual shelf-life is likely to be longer than that indicated by the expiry date, with FDA testing showing many drugs are active for years beyond their expiry date, although specific data on ibuprofen is not available. Within reason, an ibuprofen tablet that is a few months past its expiry date is probably safe to take. Ibuprofen that is years past its expiry date should not be taken. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer