[Metamizol--acute overdose with suicidal intent]

An 18-year-old girl swallowed 98 tablets of Novalgin (corresponding to 49 g metamizole) with suicidal intent. After stomach lavage she received forced diuresis for 14 hours. Metamizole metabolites in serum and urine were measured by thin-layer chromatography. After 24 hours the serum concentration of metamizole metabolites was still clearly elevated. Renal elimination amounted to 11 g metamizole. The patient survived the severe overdosage without significant organ abnormalities. This favourable course differs from reports of lethal intoxication with other pyrazolone derivatives, especially those with metamizole combination drugs. The forced diuresis proved to be a satisfactory elimination procedure. Biotransformation and elimination of the metamizole metabolites still continued after 24 hours.