Migraleve Pink Tablets for Migraines - 24 Tabs

Product Summary

Migraleve Pink tablets are used for acute moderate pain associated with migraine, where other painkillers have not worked. Migraleve Pink tablets have a unique double action, providing short-term relief from migraine, headache and associated nausea and vomiting. If taken at the first sign of a migraine, Migraleve Pink tablets can prevent an attack from developing.

Directions

Children 12 – 15 years:

• Swallow ONE Migraleve Pink tablet at the first sign of a migraine attack.
• Do not take more than ONE tablet in a 24-hour period.
• If symptoms persist for more than 3 days or get worse, stop use and talk to your doctor.

Adults and children 16 years and over:

• Swallow TWO Migraleve Pink tablets at the first sign of a migraine attack.
• Do not take more than TWO pink tablets in a 24 hour period.
• If symptoms persist for more than 3 days or get worse, stop use and talk to your doctor.

Ingredients

Migraleve Pink

• The active ingredients in each MIGRALEVE® Pink tablet are: Paracetamol DC 96% 520 mg equivalent to Paracetamol 500 mg, Codeine phosphate 8 mg and Buclizine hydrochloride 6.25 mg.
• Other ingredients are magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica, stearic acid, pregelatinised maize starch, gelatin, hypromellose, macrogol, E127 (erythrosine), aluminium oxide and E171 (titanium dioxide).

Warnings and Restrictions

If you are pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Do not take codeine while you are breastfeeding. Codeine and morphine pass into breast milk.

Special warnings about drowsiness:

The medicine can affect your ability to drive as it may make you sleepy or dizzy.

Do not drive while taking this medicine until you know how it affects you.

It is an offence to drive if this medicine affects your ability to drive.

However, you would not be committing an offence if:

• the medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem, and
• you have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber or in the information provided with the medicine, and
• it was not affecting your ability to drive safely.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist:

• if you suffer from liver or kidney disease
• if you suffer from alcoholic liver disease or alcohol dependence
• if you are taking any other medicines
• if you have closed-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• if you have difficulty passing water or are unable to pass water
• if you have prostate disease
• if you suffer from seizures (fits)
• if you suffer from asthma, breathing problems or other lung diseases.

Do not use this medicine

• unless your migraines have been diagnosed by a doctor
• if you have taken any other painkillers in the last four hours
• if you are allergic to paracetamol, codeine or buclizine, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6 of the patient information leaflet).
• if you are taking other medicines containing paracetamol
• in children under 12 years of age
• in children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) after removal of their tonsils or adenoids for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
• if you have recently developed shallow breathing
• if your bowel is obstructed or does not work properly
• if you have a head injury or raised pressure in your skull (may cause painful eyes, change in vision or headache behind the eyes)
• if you know that you metabolise codeine into morphine very rapidly
• if you are breastfeeding.

If any of these apply to you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking other medicines

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including:

• metoclopramide or domperidone (used to treat nausea and vomiting)
• cholestyramine (used to treat high cholesterol)
• if you are taking or have taken in the last two weeks: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs such as moclobemide, phenelzine, tranylcypromine or selegiline) for depression or other conditions
• anticoagulants (drugs that thin the blood, such as warfarin)
• anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital or primidone (used to treat epilepsy)
• antimuscarinic drugs e.g. atropine (a drug given prior to surgery and for some eye and bowel conditions)
• drugs affecting the brain: to decrease anxiety or to help you sleep (e.g. benzodiazepines or barbiturates)
• antidepressants (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants)
• drugs used for mental conditions causing delusions or hallucinations (e.g. phenothiazines)
• general anaesthetics
• muscle relaxants
• other painkillers containing paracetamol or codeine, or products similar to codeine e.g. tramadol, morphine

If you are not sure about the medicine you are taking, show the bottle or pack to your pharmacist.

Other warnings

• Please read the enclosed leaflet carefully.
• Can cause addiction. For three days' use only.
• Do not exceed the stated dose.
• May cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
• Contains paracetamol. Immediate medical attention should be sought in the event of an overdose, even if you are feeling well.
• If you need to take this medicine for more than three days, you must see your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not take with prescribed medicine without the advice of a doctor. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

Can I take Migraleve Pink for other types of headaches?

No, Migraleve Pink is for migraines, not for regular tension headaches or sinus pain. It contains codeine, a good painkiller that you should only use after other methods have failed. Taking Migraleve Pink for regular headaches will expose you to side effects like drowsiness or dependency. If you're unsure whether your headache is a migraine, don't take it first; talk to your doctor instead. For most everyday headaches, it's preferable to use over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen instead.

What can I do if I miss the early signs of migraine and the pain is already bad?

If you’ve missed the early warning signs of a migraine and the pain is already intense, Migraleve Pink can still be taken, but its nausea-relieving effect might not be as helpful. Buclizine works best early on when nausea is just beginning. If vomiting has started, it may be challenging to keep the tablet down. In this case, speak with your pharmacist about other treatments that may be more suitable, especially if you’re regularly missing the early stage. Acting fast with any migraine treatment is essential to reduce the length and severity of an attack.

How long does Migraleve Pink take to work?

Migraleve Pink takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working, but will vary depending on you and how long ago you've eaten. Taking it on an empty stomach may bring the effect on sooner, but could also make you more likely to be sick. Because it contains both a painkiller and an anti-nausea drug, you may find relief from more than one thing at the same time. Don't take any more if you don't notice an improvement within an hour. Take Migraleve Pink only once daily, and more will hurt you.

Can I use Migraleve Pink in combination with natural migraine remedies?

It will depend on what you are taking. You may take Migraleve Pink alongside non-drug therapies like resting in a darkened room, a cold compress, or relaxation measures. But don't take any over-the-counter or herbal medicine without discussing it with a pharmacist first. Some medicines, such as feverfew or butterbur, interact with prescription or over-the-counter medication. Others contain secret paracetamol or sedatives that may cause an accidental overdose. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking so that they can instruct you on how to remain safe.

What are the warning signs that I am overusing Migraleve Pink?

If you have to take Migraleve Pink more than a few times a month, or if your headache keeps coming back very quickly after you've taken it, you could be overusing it. Consistent use of codeine-based medication can lead to medication overuse headaches (rebound headaches), in which the treatment itself starts to cause more pain. You might also find you're requiring more of the medicine or requiring increased doses. These are warning signs that your migraines could need a different long-term management plan. Talk to your GP or pharmacist—they can safely reduce your codeine dependence and talk through preventative treatments.

Is Migraleve Pink appropriate for teens with migraine attacks?

Yes, Migraleve Pink is safe for 12–15-year-old adolescents, but only have one tablet within 24 hours. If you are a parent or a carer, make sure the child has been diagnosed with a migraine by your doctor. Teenager migraines occasionally can be confused with some other variety of headache or disease, and thus, proper diagnosis is a must. If the teen requires this medication routinely or fails to get better after using it, they must seek advice from your doctor. Never give more than the dose. Codeine is dangerous in large amounts, especially for teens.