Midrin

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 10/12/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Midrin?

Midrin (isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen) is a combination of a pain reliever and fever reducer, a sedative, and a vasoconstrictor used to treat migraine headaches or severe tension headaches. The brand name Midrin is no longer manufactured, but generic versions may be available.

What Are Side Effects of Midrin?

Midrin may cause serious side effects including:

  • rash,
  • itching,
  • swelling of the face, tongue, or throat,
  • severe dizziness, and
  • trouble breathing

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Midrin include:

  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • mood changes, and
  • nausea.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Midrin

The usual adult dosage of Midrin is two capsules at once, followed by one capsule every hour until relieved, up to 5 capsules within a 12-hour period.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Midrin?

Midrin or equivalent medications may interact with blood thinners, isoniazid, or antidepressants. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. Read all labels carefully so you don't take too much acetaminophen. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Midrin During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when prescribed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Midrin (isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

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Description for Midrin

Each red capsule contains Isometheptene Mucate USP, 65 mg, Dichloralphenazone USP, 100 mg, and Acetaminophen USP, 325 mg.

Isometheptene Mucate is a white crystalline powder having a characteristic aromatic odor and bitter taste. It is an unsaturated aliphatic amine with sympathomimetic properties.

Dichloralphenazone is a white, microcrystalline powder, with slight odor and tastes saline at first, becoming acrid. It is a mild sedative.

Acetaminophen, a non-salicylate, occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder, possessing a slightly bitter taste.

Midrin (acetaminophen, isometheptene and dichloralphenazone) capsules contain FD&C Yellow No. 6 as a color additive.

Uses for Midrin

For relief of tension and vascular headaches*.

*Based on a review of this drug (isometheptene mucate) by the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council and/or other information, FDA has classified the other indication as "possibly" effective in the treatment of migraine headache. Final classification of the less-than-effective indication requires further investigation.

Dosage for Midrin

FOR RELIEF OF MIGRAINE HEADACHE: The usual adult dosage is two capsules at once, followed by one capsule every hour until relieved, up to 5 capsules within a twelve hour period.

FOR RELIEF OF TENSION HEADACHE: The usual adult dosage is one or two capsules every four hours up to 8 capsules a day.

HOW SUPPLIED

Red capsules imprinted with the word MIDRIN (acetaminophen, isometheptene and dichloralphenazone) in pink letters. Bottles of 100 capsules, NDC 14508-304-08. Store at controlled room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86° F) in a dry place.

Manufactured and distributed by: CARACO PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES, LTD. DETROIT, MI 48202 Under license from: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. FDA Rev date: n/a

Side Effects for Midrin

Transient dizziness and skin rash may appear in hypersensitive patients. This can usually be eliminated by reducing the dose.

Drug Interactions for Midrin

No information provided.

Warnings for Midrin

No information provided.

Precautions for Midrin

Caution should be observed in hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and after recent cardio-vascular attacks.

Overdose Information for Midrin

No information provided.

Contraindications for Midrin

Midrin® (acetaminophen, isometheptene and dichloralphenazone) is contraindicated in glaucoma and/or severe cases of renal disease, hypertension, organic heart disease, hepatic disease and in those patients who are on monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy.

Clinical Pharmacology for Midrin

Isometheptene Mucate, a sympathomimetic amine, acts by constricting dilated cranial and cerebral arterioles, thus reducing the stimuli that lead to vascular headaches. Dichloralphenazone, a mild sedative, reduces the patient's emotional reaction to the pain of both vascular and tension headaches. Acetaminophen raises the threshold to painful stimuli, thus exerting an analgesic effect against all types of headaches.

Patient Information for Midrin

No information provided. Please refer to the PRECAUTIONS section.

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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.