Spain has issued a ban on the painkiller Nolotil, also known as metamizole, from being prescribed to British tourists, according to The Local.
A recent inquiry has linked the medicine to the deaths of to ten British tourists in the country.
The ten tourists reportedly fell ill with agranulosis, which can result in blood poisoning after a low white blood cell count.
What is the latest travel advice for British tourists on holiday in Spain?
The UK Foreign Office is yet to update their travel advice on the website.
Their current health advice advises tourists to keep their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on them at all times, as well as taking out relevant travel insurance.
Nolotil is currently banned in the UK, the US, Sweden and Australia.
It is available on prescription in Spain and Portugal, and over-the-counter in India and Brazil.
Spain’s Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices, AEMPS has since changed the guidelines on prescribing the drug.
It has previously been reported that those with fair skin could be more susceptible to side effects.
Boehringer Ingelheim, who manufacture the drug, have rejected the investigation’s claims.
They said it has “no scientific evidence” it caused the side effects mentioned in relation to “genetic peculiarities,” meaning certain populations are affected.
They warn side effects only affect one in every 10,000 patients.
Tourists heading abroad should always check the latest medicine rules with a number of popular countries having banned certain medications.
In Japan, many cold and flu medicines are banned as they contain codeine which is not allowed.
This includes Vicks inhalers and Sudafed, which can result in tourists being deported if caught carrying it.
In Indonesia, medicines with codeine as well as sleeping pills and ADHD medicines are illegal.
Even Greece has strict laws for prescription drugs, along with the UAE.
Both countries do not allow codeine, Tramadol or Diazepam as they are “controlled drugs.”
