if you used to use Migraleve for migraines..

[sonsmum]

...what do you use as a replacement, since these tablets are now out of circulation.
I had a migraine with aura one hour ago, I just took 2 (out of date) pink tablets, and already my vision is back to normal and now just have a manageable headache.
But i have only 2 further (out of date) tablets left, so am a bit anxious as migraines seem to be returning to my life.

For those that used Migraleve, what do you now use to get rid of your aura and migraine?

Paracetamol and aspirin together

Migraleve contains paracetamol, codeine and an antisickness medication. Cocodamol (500mg paracetamol/8mg codeine) would provide the same amount of painkiller that is in the pink tablets. The antisickness element I’m not sure about but I’m sure your local pharmacist could recommend an alternative that’s available to buy over the counter.

Does anyone know why Migraleve has been discontinued?

No idea why it's discontinued, but actually it's an appalling medicine for migraine, as co-codamol should never be used for migraine anyway.... I wish I'd known that as a teenager.

The anti-emetic in it is the ingredient most likely to be helping us with migraine.

Please see a GP and ask them about triptans, which are the only drugs available which are intended for migraine use. They can also prescribe an anti-emetic.

You can find out more about the clinical guidance for migraine here:

pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/headaches/management-of-migraine-with-or-without-aura

Co-codamol and buccastem. I don't get migraines too often, but vomiting is more the issue than the headache for me (I used to have cyclic vomiting syndrome), and if I get in early with fluids, paracetamol and buccastem I don't need the codeine

Soluble medicines work faster (especially in migraine where the gut may stop processing as efficiently). My migraine "go to" meds are:
900mg soluble aspirin
1g soluble paracetamol
Metaclopramide - anti sickness from GP, works to stop nausea & can help the gut to digest a bit faster but is not always suitable for young women
1 can full sugar coke - sugar & caffeine help you feel better & the bubbles help the absorption of the medicines

I bought some in boots yesterday. Are you sure it's out of circulation

No idea why it's discontinued, but actually it's an appalling medicine for migraine,

You can call it appalling all you want but it really worked for me and I miss it

Pharmacist suggested anti sickness plus paracetamol. It’s not the same!

Just get a proper prescription for a triptan as up thread and if you are having lots of days per month talk to your gp about beta blockers. Game changing.

Migraleve never worked for me. I get Sumatriptan on prescription or buy it over the counter at Boots sometimes. Sometimes Anadin Extra works but I have to take 3. Occasionally Paracetamol works but again I have to take 3. Sumatriptan is the only thing that has worked consistently for me (8 times out of 10 at least).

@m0therofdragons you're missing the codeine in that combination though. Codeine if overused (and you only need to take it a few times a weeks for that) creates cyclical or rebound headaches, which are about as severe as a migraine. Weaning off all meds to deal with this is hard, and I really struggled for a few months until it settled down again. I was 19 when that happened, and I had been prescribed Migraleve as it wasn't OTC back then.

I'm nearly 40 now and have 42 Botox injections into my head, neck and shoulders every 12wks to cope with migraine.

I've done a huge amount of research into migraine and treatments, and it saddens me that codeine is still considered an acceptable medication by some Drs and pharmacists when the weight of the clinical evidence, including that from NICE guidelines, is that opiates of all types are not to be used in migraine.

I get sumatriptan on prescription.

I was offered beta blockers but I'm worried as I had them years ago and I'm sure they affected my mood, anyone have any experience of that? I just remember feeling flat.

Also, some people saying they take 3 paracetamol, what's the maximum amount you can take at once?

I take 3 paracetomal sometimes in one go, but I don’t exceed the 8 in 24 hour rule. I heard unofficially from a pharmacist that 3 will do a better job at getting rid of severe pain and reduce the chances of needing to take another 2 in 4 hours to get the same effect. But it’s important you don’t go over the 8 in 24 hour rule.

I take propranolol regularly now to prevent migraines. On the rare occasion I get one I take 2 soluble aspirin. Or 2 co-codamol depending on what's in the cupboard.

Aspirin is generally considered better for migraine, but it's not a major issue. 900mg of aspirin is the dose to hit it with. www.nhs.uk/news/medication/migraine-relief-from-aspirin/

Sumatriptan on prescription has changed my life. Stops my migraines in their tracks 19 times out of 20.

If you are a regular migraine sufferer prevention is better than cure (I have hemiplegic migraine I have tried so many meds/treatments etc) something that has worked for me recently is taking a magnesium and a vitamin b2 (riboflavin) supplement as recommended by my neurologist following some recent research. The papers are available on google and anecdotally is helping several people I know who suffer regularly. Also 3 litres of fluid a day and regular HIT exercise-again anecdotal but if I get dehydrated or miss exercise it tends to get followed up by a migraine. I also tried over time elimination diets and can find no dietary triggers personally. Stress/lack of sleep are a trigger but beta blockers (propranolol) help with these things for me and then less migraines.

I used to get monthly migraines which I was prescribed sumatriptan for. Then I had my Daith pierced and in 8 months have had 1 migraine 🤷🏻‍♀️

Soluble aspirin! As soon as you get a hint of an aura. Was recommended by a migraine specialist I happened to get as a stand in doctor one day.

I use a triptan. It's hit and miss but still better than migraleve.

NSAIDS (anti inflammatories) are considered to be the best analgesic for migraine. You can take 3 ibuprofen (600mg). Triptans are another good suggestion.

If you get nausea you could ask about an anti sickness medication.

Triptans work well for me, before that I used to take paracetamol and codeine.

I use Sumatriptan - Migraleave always made me more sick somehow anyway!

I buy mine online from Dr Fox (I started doing this when I was breastfeeding as the pharmacist wouldn't sell me Sumatriptan OTC).

I bought migraleve yesterday OP. There was tons of it in my local Boots.