Description:

Analgin Injection 500mg/5ml is an injectable non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic medication containing metamizole sodium (also known as dipyrone). It is used for the rapid relief of severe acute pain (e.g., post-operative pain, renal/biliary colic, severe headache, toothache, trauma pain) and high fever when oral administration is not possible or rapid effect is required. Metamizole is a pyrazolone derivative with strong analgesic, antipyretic, and spasmolytic properties. In Ghana (Accra), it is a common prescription injectable available in hospitals and pharmacies for short-term severe pain or fever management, though its use is restricted or cautioned in many countries due to rare but serious side effects.

Prescription:

Prescription-only (requires a doctor’s prescription in Ghana; administered by healthcare professionals—IV/IM injection in hospitals/clinics or under medical supervision; not for self-administration or OTC dispensing in most cases due to risk profile and need for monitoring).

Therapeutic Category:

Non-Opioid Analgesic / Antipyretic / Spasmolytic (Pyrazolone-class analgesic).

Active Ingredients/Composition:

• Active ingredient: Metamizole sodium (dipyrone sodium) – 500 mg per 5 ml (100 mg/ml). Other ingredients (excipients, typical): Water for injection, sodium chloride (for isotonicity), sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid (pH adjustment to ~6–8). The solution is clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile, and ready-to-use.

Vitamins: None.

Minerals: None.

Variant:

• Analgin Injection 500mg/5ml (standard 5 ml ampoule; common pack sizes 5 or 10 ampoules). Related variants: Analgin 1g/2ml (higher concentration for adults), oral Analgin tablets/drops (if available), or metamizole generics under different brand names. The 500mg/5ml is the most common injectable strength.

Consume Type:

Injectable – Intravenous (IV) slow injection or Intramuscular (IM) injection (administered only by healthcare professionals; never self-inject).

Directions/Usage: Administered only in clinical settings by trained personnel.

• Adults: 500 mg (5 ml) IM or slow IV (over 3–5 minutes) every 6–8 hours as needed (maximum 4 g/day).
• Children: Weight-based (10–15 mg/kg per dose; doctor determines exact).
• IV: Dilute if necessary and inject slowly to avoid hypotension.
• IM: Deep intramuscular injection (alternate sites).
• Duration: Short-term (usually 1–3 days); switch to oral analgesics as soon as possible.
• Always follow hospital protocol and doctor’s order.

Common Side Effects: Common:

• Hypotension (low blood pressure – especially rapid IV).
• Injection site pain or irritation (IM).
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Rash or allergic skin reactions. Rare but serious (seek immediate help): Agranulocytosis (severe drop in white blood cells – can be fatal), anaphylactic shock, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or haemolytic anaemia. Note: Metamizole carries a rare but well-documented risk of agranulocytosis (1 in 1,000–10,000 patients), which has led to bans in some countries (e.g., USA, UK, Sweden).

Package Type:

Glass ampoules of 5 ml (each containing 500 mg metamizole sodium; packs of 5 or 10 ampoules; labelled carton with instructions and warnings).

Storage Advice: Store at room temperature (below 25–30°C) in original packaging, protected from light. Do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children.

Safety Advice:

• Administered only under medical supervision (high risk of serious hypersensitivity and agranulocytosis – monitor blood counts if used repeatedly).
• Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to metamizole/pyrazolines, severe hepatic/renal impairment, acute porphyria, or history of agranulocytosis.
• Caution in asthma (risk of bronchospasm), pregnancy (avoid in first/third trimester), breastfeeding, children under 3 months (unless strictly indicated), or elderly.
• Risk of agranulocytosis (fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers – stop immediately and check blood count if occurs).
• If rash, fever, breathing difficulty, or severe hypotension occurs, stop use and treat urgently.
• Keep out of reach of children (overdose risk).

Product Substitutes: Similar injectable analgesics/antipyretics in Ghana include:

• Paracetamol IV (e.g., Perfalgan 1g/100ml for fever/pain).
• Diclofenac injection (for inflammatory pain).
• Tramadol injection (for moderate-severe pain).
• Other metamizole injections (e.g., generics like Analgen or Novalgina if stocked). Consult doctor/pharmacist in Accra (e.g., hospital pharmacy) for alternatives.

Manufacturer/Marketer:

Varies by exact batch (Metamizole injections often by Indian manufacturers like Samarth Life Sciences, Neon Laboratories, or local Ghanaian producers for generics). Marketed/distributed in Ghana by local importers/pharmacies (widely stocked as imported or local generic).

Country of Origin:

India (primary source for generic metamizole/analgin injections imported to Ghana; BP-compliant generics common in African markets).