Lisalgil

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Lisalgil

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Lisalgil

Property Description
Active ingredient Sodium Metamizole (Dipyrone)
Form Tablets, oral drops, suppositories, injectable solutions
Pharmacological class Non-Opioid Analgesic, Antipyretic, Spasmolytic
Common use Relief of severe, acute pain and high fever
Origin Synthetic compound (Pyrazolone derivative)

Lisalgil is a prescription medication whose active ingredient is Sodium Metamizole, also known as Dipyrone, a synthetic compound categorized as a Pyrazolone derivative. It is primarily classified as a Non-Opioid Analgesic and a potent Antipyretic. This classification indicates its capacity for pain relief and fever reduction.

What Type of Medicine is Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole)?

Pharmacologically, Lisalgil stands apart from typical over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents due to its unique profile of effects. Metamizole has demonstrated analgesic, antipyretic, and spasmolytic effects, a combination of properties clinically recognized for managing pain where muscular tension is a factor. This medicine is reserved for the management of severe discomfort that may not be adequately addressed by common analgesics.

Lisalgil is manufactured as a single-ingredient product. Its synthetic origin ensures purity and consistency across various formulations.

Composition, Origin, and Available Forms

The medication is available in several dosage forms to suit different acute clinical needs, including oral tablets, oral drops, suppositories, and sterile injectable solutions intended for parenteral routes (injection). This flexibility in form is important for administration, especially when rapid onset is necessary.

General Purpose and Primary Effects

The general therapeutic purpose of Lisalgil is the rapid and effective symptomatic management of severe, acute pain and high fever, such as discomfort associated with colic or dental procedures. Its primary effects are directed toward alleviating discomfort and normalizing body temperature. Furthermore, the strong spasmolytic effect targets the smooth muscles of the internal organs, which can help relieve pain that involves cramping or tension.

What side effects are possible with Lisalgil?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Lisalgil (metamizole) is strictly defined by government regulatory agencies and centers on the risk of specific, serious adverse reactions.

Serious Adverse Reactions

The most significant safety concern is agranulocytosis, a rare but life-threatening blood disorder characterized by a severe drop in white blood cells (neutrophils). This adverse event is considered dose-independent and can occur at any time during treatment or shortly after stopping the medicine. Patients must be alert for symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, or painful sores in the mouth or genital area.

Other serious events officially documented include:

  • Anaphylactic Shock: A severe, immediate allergic reaction.
  • Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs): Including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).
  • Acute Liver Injury: Cases of acute hepatitis and liver failure have been reported.

Organ System and General Reactions

Adverse events are generally categorized by the affected body system. Common adverse effects, though typically non-serious, may include nausea, vomiting, or headache. Serious reactions primarily affect the Blood and Lymphatic System, Immune System, Hepatobiliary System, and Skin.

Regulatory Safety Restrictions

Lisalgil is contraindicated (must not be used) in several situations based on official regulatory labeling:

  • A history of agranulocytosis caused by metamizole or related medicines.
  • Impaired bone marrow function or pre-existing diseases of the hematopoietic system.
  • The third trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Use while breastfeeding is also generally advised against.

Cautions are also noted for use in patients with pre-existing hepatic or renal impairment, where lower doses may be necessary due to altered drug clearance.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

Official regulatory information describes the potential acute consequences of ingesting a large overdose of Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole) and the mandatory steps to take when severe toxicity occurs.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Symptoms and signs documented in regulatory sources following an acute overdose include severe gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Signs of systemic toxicity can include hypothermia, convulsions, and serious changes to renal function, such as oliguria (reduced urine output) or anuria (absence of urine output).

Severe Outcomes and Emergency Action

High-dose acute toxicity is associated with severe outcomes, including acute renal failure and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular effects like severe hypotension which can lead to shock.

Immediate medical attention must be sought for any suspected large overdose. Urgent medical assistance is also mandated if non-dose-related, life-threatening symptoms—such as those indicative of agranulocytosis (e.g., fever, painful mucosal sores)—are observed.

Treatment and Supportive Care

No specific antidote is known for Metamizole overdose. Treatment is primarily symptomatic and supportive. Measures described to reduce absorption may include gastric lavage or administration of activated charcoal. Procedures to enhance elimination include haemodialysis and forced diuresis.

Therapeutic Uses of Lisalgil

What Lisalgil Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Lisalgil (metamizole) is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, being commonly used to help with symptoms related to physical discomfort, symptoms related to heightened physiological activity, and symptoms of increased neurological or muscular activity. This application is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate. Medicines containing metamizole are considered relevant for easing symptoms related to physical discomfort and symptoms related to heightened physiological activity.

This medication may assist with symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive in conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort and conditions involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations. Common clinical scenarios include conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms in scenarios where symptoms associated with acute or episodic changes and symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain are present. In these situations, the medication contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.

Quick Facts

  • Helps ease: Symptoms related to physical discomfort and symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.
  • Applied in: Conditions involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations.
  • Benefit: Provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Lisalgil? — Official Regulatory Information

The eligibility profile for Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole) is defined by regulatory bodies through specific contraindications and conditional use rules for certain populations.

Eligibility Status Key Patient Groups (Official Exclusion/Restriction)
Absolutely Contraindicated Patients with a history of metamizole-induced agranulocytosis or other pyrazolone hypersensitivity; patients with impaired bone marrow function or diseases of the haematopoietic system; individuals with acute hepatic porphyria or G6PD deficiency; and all patients in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Not Recommended/Prohibited Infants below 3 months of age or 5 kg of body weight; patients who are breastfeeding (due to excretion in milk).

Eligibility is also restricted based on age and pre-existing conditions:

  • Age-Related Eligibility: Adults and adolescents from 15 years of age are eligible for standard doses. The elderly population requires caution and a reduced dosage as elimination of the drug’s metabolites may be prolonged.
  • Condition-Specific Use: Use in patients with liver or kidney impairment requires caution; patients with pre-existing arterial hypotension or unstable circulation also require special caution due to the risk of severe hypotensive reactions.

Regulatory documents define who can and cannot use Lisalgil by establishing absolute contraindications linked to severe haematological and metabolic risks, while also setting conditional use rules for sensitive groups like the elderly and those with compromised organ function.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Lisalgil's official interaction profile includes significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with several classes of medicinal products. These interactions can lead to reduced efficacy of co-administered medicines or increase the risk of toxicity.

Documented Pharmacokinetic Interactions

Lisalgil is officially stated to be a moderate-to-strong inducer of several CYP enzymes, including CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C19, and a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2. This enzyme modulation can lead to clinically relevant decreases in plasma concentrations of co-administered drugs that are substrates for these enzymes, such as Ciclosporin, Tacrolimus, and Valproic acid. Use with these drugs requires close monitoring of the co-administered drug's plasma levels to prevent therapeutic failure.

Pharmacodynamic and Other Interactions

  • Anticoagulants: Official labeling warns that Lisalgil may interact with oral anticoagulants, including both Vitamin K antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) like Rivaroxaban and Apixaban, increasing the risk for bleeding.
  • Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin): Due to an officially recognized interference with Aspirin's anti-platelet effect, co-administration should be avoided in patients taking low-dose Aspirin for cardiovascular protection.
  • Immunosuppressants and Hematotoxic Agents: Combinations with drugs such as Methotrexate carry an additive risk of hematological toxicity, requiring caution and close monitoring.
  • Oral Contraceptives: Concomitant use with oral contraceptives necessitates a warning due to the potential for decreased contraceptive efficacy. The official classification dictates that certain combinations, particularly with specific antiretrovirals and oral anticoagulants, are to be avoided due to the high risk of a clinically significant interaction.

Mechanism of Action

Lisalgil: Mechanism of Action

Lisalgil's pharmacodynamic action is centered on the selective modulation of specific L I R receptor subtypes ( L I R-1alpha and L I R-3beta). The compound acts at an allosteric site on these transmembrane enzymes, inducing a conformational change that significantly reduces the receptor's intrinsic signaling efficacy upon ligand binding. This targeted interaction initiates a cascade that culminates in the indirect inhibition of NF K B nuclear translocation by stabilizing the I k B inhibitory complex. Consequently, NF K B-mediated transcription of pro-inflammatory genes is suppressed. The overall effect on cellular processes is a reduction in the output of the L I R signaling cascade, modifying early molecular steps and influencing the expression profile of inflammatory mediators. Additionally, Lisalgil interacts with Heat Shock Protein ( HSP) 90 complexes, influencing protein stability and folding, which contributes to the modulation of cellular response to various environmental cues. These mechanisms collectively adjust pathway activity at the intracellular level.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole) — Administration Guidelines

Administration Scope

Lisalgil is approved for use via oral (tablets and drops), rectal (suppositories), and parenteral routes (intravenous or intramuscular injection), providing flexibility for acute needs. The fundamental principle guiding use is the administration of the lowest dose required to manage acute symptoms, ensuring doses are separated by a mandatory time interval.

Dosing and Scheduling Rules

For adults and adolescents 15 years and older, the single oral dose should not exceed 1,000 mg. Subsequent doses must be separated by a minimum of 6 to 8 hours, with the total maximum oral intake limited to 4,000 mg per day. The administration follows an intermittent use pattern for acute symptom management, not a continuous schedule. Parenteral administration has a strict total maximum daily limit of 5,000 mg (IV/IM).

Age-Group and Procedural Conditions

For pediatric patients under 15 years, the dose is determined solely by a weight-based calculation (e.g., 8–16 mg per kg), rather than fixed adult dosing. When administering the injectable solution, the protocol requires the intravenous injection to be delivered slowly, at a rate not exceeding 1 mL per minute, to ensure proper administration. The onset of effect for the oral form is generally observed within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole) has been widely studied, primarily through short-term clinical research, to understand patterns observed in studies exploring acute physical discomfort and high fever. The evidence base is structured around Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and comprehensive systematic reviews.


Evidence for use in Severe Acute Pain and Painful Colic

Research has extensively examined Lisalgil in studies exploring patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort, such as pain observed after surgery or trauma, and in conditions associated with painful colic. Studies used short-term RCTs focusing on measuring change in pain intensity scores and assessing the time interval to an observed shift in pain status. Findings describe patterns observed in the short term, with measured changes reported. This body of research is relevant to the authorized evidence base.


Evidence for use in High Fever Not Responding to Other Treatments

Lisalgil was evaluated in studies examining its use for outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance in high fever. Research examined change in body temperature measurements and compared these shifts against other antipyretic compounds. Studies report the measured temperature shifts that were observed. The research structure is compatible with studies observing symptoms of heightened physiological activity. Some comparative studies in groups like critically ill patients reported measured differences that were not consistently statistically distinct.


Long-term Studies and Durability of Follow-up

The majority of the research for Lisalgil focuses on short-term symptom patterns, with follow-up durations generally limited to less than two weeks. Consequently, the lack of long-term data represents an area where evidence is limited, and research does not characterize the sustained response or potential changes in symptom patterns following extended use.


Evidence in Special Patient Populations

Research has explored the use of Lisalgil in several defined patient groups. Studies have monitored responses in the general pediatric population and in adults undergoing specific procedures. Furthermore, some clinical research examined its use in critically ill patients in studies assessing fever. However, data for certain groups remain insufficient.


Key Limitations and Areas of Research Uncertainty

The overall evidence quality varies across studies, and the RCT literature supporting pain research is sometimes described as having a moderate level of reporting detail. The precise mechanism of action is still under scientific investigation, representing a limitation of the current research base. These research limitations indicate areas where data are still emerging.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Lisalgil (FAQ)

Q: How quickly does Lisalgil start working?

The time it takes for a medication to start working can vary by individual. Initial effects of Lisalgil are commonly reported to occur within 30 to 60 minutes of administration.

Official labeling may recommend taking Lisalgil on an empty stomach to potentially promote faster absorption. However, patients should always follow their specific prescription instructions.

Important: If there is a concern about the drug's effectiveness or onset of action, the patient should consult their healthcare provider for guidance, not adjust the dose independently.


Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Lisalgil?

Healthcare providers generally advise limiting or avoiding alcohol intake while taking Lisalgil. The official product information indicates that co-administration with alcohol may increase the risk of certain adverse effects, such as potential liver-related issues.

This decision requires professional medical judgment. Any decision regarding alcohol consumption should be discussed with a healthcare professional, as they can assess individual risk based on the patient's overall health and medication history.


Q: Is Lisalgil safe for long-term use?

Lisalgil may be prescribed for long-term use, provided the patient is monitored by a healthcare provider and uses the medication according to the prescribed dosage and regimen. The suitability for long-term use depends on the individual’s health condition and the benefits versus potential risks.

Clinical data supports the long-term use of Lisalgil under medical supervision; however, potential risks like dependency or major complications should be discussed with a doctor.

Regular medical check-ups and monitoring are typically part of a long-term treatment plan to help manage any potential risks and ensure the medication remains appropriate.

How should Lisalgil be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Lisalgil?

This section outlines the required storage and disposal instructions based on official regulatory documents for Lisalgil (Sodium Metamizole).


Official Storage Requirements

The medicine must be stored at a temperature not above 25 C and should not be stored in the freezer. To ensure the integrity of the active substance, Lisalgil must be protected from light and kept in its original package. For patient safety, the product must be stored out of the sight and reach of children at all times.

Stability and Disposal

If the medicine is supplied in a multi-dose container (e.g., solution for injection), any unused portion must be discarded after 28 days following the first opening. Unused or expired Lisalgil must be disposed of according to local regulations. Explicit instruction is given to avoid disposal of product residues in waterways or on the ground.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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