Migraines and Headaches Resources
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Prescription Migraine Medications »
Migraine is a serious, potentially life-threatening neurological disease that affects nearly 32 million Americans, the majority of whom are women. The hallmark symptom of migraine is an escalating, often unbearable, debilitating headache that is commonly described as intense throbbing or pulsating pain in one area of the head. The pain may be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. In some people, migraines are preceded by visual disturbances known as auras that may include flashing lights, zigzag lines, or temporary blindness.
Migraine medications do not cure migraines. Instead, migraine drugs treat the symptoms using one of two approaches. Some migraine drugs relieve symptoms. Other migraine drugs are used to prevent a migraine attack.
Many migraine sufferers rely on simple pain relievers to get through an attack. These range from over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen to an...
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Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), dichloralphenazone, isometheptene, or chloral hydrate (Somnote), or if you have:
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Using more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
You may take this medication with or without food.
Take the medicine with a full glass of water.
To treat migraine headache pain:
To treat tension headache pain:
Call your doctor if this medication seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Also call your doctor if your headaches get worse or you have more than 2 headaches per week.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly if you have been using it for longer than 2 weeks in a row, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests, including tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene.
Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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