Metamizole as the Most Consumed Analgesic in Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Why Does It Matter?

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, analgesic use increased significantly, primarily due to self-medication for symptom relief. In Brazil, metamizole (dipyrone) is widely used despite international restrictions, highlighting the importance of evaluating its consumption patterns. Objective: To assess analgesic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted via a household survey in Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical conditions, and medication use. Descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, medians, and interquartile ranges. Factors associated with analgesic use were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Among 694 participants, 31.6% reported using analgesics, with metamizole being the most frequently used (87.2%), followed by acetaminophen (paracetamol) (24.7%). Analgesic use was more common among individuals with polypharmacy, lower self-reported quality of life, better self-perceived health, and recent dental appointments. Conclusions: A high prevalence of analgesic use was identified, particularly of metamizole. Given its over-the-counter availability and growing evidence of risks such as liver injury and other adverse events, ongoing monitoring is essential. These findings underscore the need for public health strategies and pharmacist involvement to promote the rational and safe use of analgesics.