ISOMETHEPTENE, DICHLORALPHENAZONE & ACETAMINOPHEN

Brand & Generic Names

Amidrine	Migratine
I.D.A.	Migrazone
Iso-Acetazone	Migrend
Isocom	Migrex
Midchlor	Misquin
Midrin	Mitride
Migragap

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Analgesic, sedative, vascular headache suppressant

Uses

Treatment of vascular (throbbing or migraine type) and tension headaches.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Take with fluid. Usual dose--2 capsules at start, then 1 every hour until fully relieved. Don't exceed 5 capsules in 12 hours.

When to take:
At first sign of headache.

If you forget a dose:
Use as soon as you remember.

What drug does:
Causes blood vessels in head to constrict or become narrower. Acetaminophen relieves pain by effects on hypothalamus--the part of the brain that helps regulate body heat and receives body's pain messages.

Time lapse before drug works:
30-60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any medicine that will decrease mental alertness or reflexes, such as alcohol, other mind-altering drugs, cough/cold medicines, antihistamines, allergy medicine, sedatives, tranquilizers (sleeping pills or "downers") barbiturates, seizure medicine, narcotics, other prescription medicine for pain, muscle relaxants, anesthetics.
See Interaction Section and consult doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Stomach upsets, irritability, sweating, severe diarrhea, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Dizziness, drowsiness.

Infrequent:

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, upper abdominal pain.

Rare:

Rash; itchy skin; sore throat, fever, mouth sores; unusual bleeding or bruising; weakness; jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to acetaminophen or any other component of this combination medicine.
• Your symptoms don't improve after 2 days' use. Call your doctor.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have kidney disease, liver damage, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disorder, hypertension, alcoholism (active).

Over age 60:
Don't exceed recommended dose. You can't eliminate drug as efficiently as younger persons.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.

Breast-feeding:
No proven harm to nursing infant. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Give under careful medical supervision only.

Prolonged use:

• May affect blood system and cause anemia. Limit use to 5 days for children 12 and under, and 10 days for adults.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel drowsy. Otherwise, no restrictions.

Discontinuing:
Discontinue in 2 days if symptoms don't improve.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants,	May increase
oral*	anticoagulant effect. If combined
	frequently, prothrombin time should
	be monitored.
Aspirin or other	Long-term combined
salicylates*	effect (3 years or longer)
	increases chance of damage to
	kidney, including malignancy.
Beta-adrenergic	Narrowed arteries in
blockers*	heart if taken in large doses.
MAO inhibitors*	Sudden increase in blood pressure.
Non-steroidal	Long-term combined
anti-inflammatory	effect (3 years or
drugs (NSAIDs)*	longer) increases chance of damage
	to kidney, including malignancy.
Phenacetin	Long-term combined effect (3 years
	or longer) increases chance of
	damage to kidney, including
	malignancy.
Phenobarbital	Quicker elimination and decreased
	effect of acetaminophen.
Tetracyclines*	May slow tetracycline
(effervescent	absorption. Space
granules or tablets)	doses 2 hours apart.
Zidovudine (AZT)	Increased toxic effect of
	zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Drowsiness. Toxicity to liver.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected. However, cocaine may
	slow body's recovery. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Increased pain relief. However,
	marijuana may slow body's recovery.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	May decrease medicine's
	effectiveness.