What is this medication?
ACETAMINOPHEN; DICHLORALPHENAZONE; ISOMETHEPTENE (a seet a MIN oh fen; dye klor al PHEN a zone; eye soe me THEP teen) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat migraine or tension headaches.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Amidrine, Diacetazone, Duradrin, I.D.A., Midrin, Migquin, Migragesic IDA, Migratine, Migrazone, Migrin-A, Nodolor
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- glaucoma
- heart disease or recent heart attack
- high blood pressure, other blood vessel disorder
- if you often drink alcohol
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- an unusual or allergic reaction to acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, isometheptene, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If taking for migraine headache, do not take more than 5 capsules in any 12-hour period. If taking for tension headache, do not take more than 8 capsules a day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- bromocriptine
- disulfiram
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- procarbazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- acetaminophen
- alcohol
- antacids
- antihistamines
- furazolidone
- isoniazid
- linezoid
- medicines for high blood pressure
- some medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
- some medicines for sleep
- ritonavir
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your doctor or health care provider for regular check ups. Tell your doctor if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. Do not share this medicine with anyone else.
This medicine contains acetaminophen. Many over the counter medicines also contain acetaminophen as an ingredient. To prevent overdose, read labels carefully. Do not take this medicine with other acetaminophen products.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you take migraine medicines for 10 or more days a month, your migraines may get worse. Keep a diary of headache days and medicine use. Contact your healthcare professional if your migraine attacks occur more frequently.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- difficulty breathing, wheezing
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- fever, sore throat
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- headache
- nausea
- upset stomach
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.