Metamizol (Novalgin) is probably one of the biggest examples of this I know. It's a non-NSAID, non-addictive painkiller that was discovered over 100 years ago and banned in the USA in the 60s. It has a similar danger profile to Diclofenac (Voltaren), which is now prescribed like candy. And it is still widely used in Germany and Switzerland, so there is lots of data on 'modern' populations. But since nobody can patent it, there's no motivation to get it reapproved in the US, so everyone get opioids instead.
To be fair, the Netherlands has very tight controls on metamizol as well, and for no clear reason except small-c conservatism, and also a tremendous reluctance for doctors here to give out painkillers.
No, I have never asked for painkillers myself, so it isn't personal! However, if God–forbid I came down with pain issues that were treatable by painkillers, you better believe I would be on the dark markets PDQ.
(My RSI is no fun, but I deal, and it isn't amenable to painkillers except in mind-numbing doses.)
Myself and everyone I knew took metamizol countless times, for every minor sickness (the way people use Tylenol in the US) when I was a child. And side effects were unheard of. So I don't understand why does anybody care to control it more strictly than paracetamol (which is really deadly by the way) or ibuprofen. People should just be taught to consider their unprescribed meds conservatively and avoid taking NSAID like candies.
When addressing the root cause of pain is lobbied against by billion dollar corporation (for instance, Big Food -> inflammation and obesity), the current system is the outcome.
In addition, any GP that might normally have a chance of breaking people out of the disease-food feedback loop is bought out by the healthcare cartels (maybe getting a part of the symptomatic treatment profits).
Here is a link of videos made by a non-profit, with a plethora of references for each video.
> My RSI is no fun, but I deal, and it isn't amenable to painkillers except in mind-numbing doses.
Just a warning - trying to ignore the pain (by bearing it or hiding it with painkillers) is what is likely making your RSI worse. Please try and address the actual cause of the pain, than just taking pain killers.
While it's widely prescribed in Germany, it is actually pretty restricted, too, but there seems to be a lot of off-label use. It's only supposed to be prescribed for strong pain, or for fever only if other medications don't work. There is a risk of agranulocytosis, which is low, but the reason for the restriction in various countries.
Yes, it's not a paracetamol replacement, more like an option as a combination with paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat pain that would otherwise require opioids.
