{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.03544776119402985, 'fraction_numerical': 0.025186567164179104, 'mean_word_length': 5.062146892655368, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Metamizole Use Among Hispanics in Miami: Report of a Survey Conducted in a Primary Care Setting

Background: Metamizole (dipyrone) is a myelotoxic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that has been banned from the US market since 1979. However, dipyrone may be purchased in some areas of the US. We conducted a survey in a primary care setting in Miami, Florida to determine the prevalence of metamizole possession and use among Hispanics living in this area. Methods: Participants consisted of 137 Hispanic outpatients interviewed consecutively during a primary care visit in the month of February 2005. Results: Metamizole was possessed by 28% of the surveyed population. The most common reasons for using dipyrone were pain (72%) and fever (24%). The vast majority of patients had purchased the medication in Latin America (95%), in most instances without a prescription (95%). Nineteen patients (13%) had used the medication during the previous year. Conclusions: Metamizole is available to Latino immigrants who reside in the US, despite the FDA ban imposed in 1977.