Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Please tell me Migraleve is ok...

18 replies

Poweredby200mgofCaffeineaday · 30/12/2011 15:09

...because I cracked this morning and took two pink ones. Onset of migraine was Wednesday evening and it lasted all day yesterday. Woke early this morning with headache at screaming point and vomiting too. DH went out and came back with Migraleve and I just couldnt hold out anymore. I know you're meant to ask the Gp but it was too early to call and I couldn't take the pain any longer. Finally feel a bit better but feel v guilty. Has anyone else taken it when pregnant?

OP posts:
MotherPanda · 30/12/2011 15:16

Ok- long term use of codeine is very bad but one of dose like migraleve is probably harmless. I haven't taken it in pregnancy but I am now I'm breastfeeding and the pharmacist wouldn't sell it to me, so I went to see the gp who said it won't do any harm. It can cause heart issues in babies, buts that's more for daily dosings.

Use it very very sparingly and only when you really have to, ok? Truth is, no one really knows what effect it has in pregnancy.

MrsHuxtable · 30/12/2011 15:26

Are you sure it's just a normal migrane though and not masked symptoms for pre-eclampsia? Did you have your blood pressure checked?

Poweredby200mgofCaffeineaday · 30/12/2011 15:33

Thanks Panda. I really tried to wait it out but was feeling so terrible. MrsH I'm pretty sure it's too early for ore eclampsia as I'm only 13 weeks. And I've had migraines all my life so fairly sure.

OP posts:
MrsHuxtable · 30/12/2011 15:40

That does sound like a migraine then. Just make sure as you get further along to keep an eye on that blood pressure thing. They only call it pre-eclampsia from 20 weeks but it does happen before. The GP suspected I had it at 15 weeks but it was just stress induced high blood pressure, coinciding with proteines in my urines and a horrible headache I couldn't get rid of for a week!

Poweredby200mgofCaffeineaday · 30/12/2011 15:50

Thanks Mrs H it's a good point. Sorry to hear about yours that sounds rotten.

OP posts:
Oeisha · 30/12/2011 19:03

Codeine isn't idea in pregnancy and best avoided in 1st and late 3rd trimester.

Codeine again isn't ideal for migraines, but I really do feel your pain there, as I'm allergic to triptan 'abortives', so rely on codeine to get me through the worst bits. As I'm caffeine free otherwise, I find caffeine can help. I've also been fairly lucky during pg as they've eased a bit.

OCT migraine drugs often have high doses of caffeine and antihistamines in them (pink migraleve does). The antihistamine is often use as a mild sedative and will help the nausea associated with migraine. Some antihistamines are "pregnancy safe" (or as safe as they can be), but some aren't (they're often prescribed for their nausea stopping properties for mornign sickness).

Def. go to GP and get a diagnosis of the continuation of migraine during pregnancy, as if you can it's best to avoid the meds and treat any other way possible. I was told I could maintain a low level of beta-blocker, and possibly maintain a low lvl of antidepressant (common combined preventatives) if my migraines were unmanagable in pregnancy, so there are preventatives out there.

It's not unknown for neurologists to prescribe triptans as 'abortives' for pregnant women, if they're totally crippled by them, but again, this is a risk assessment only you can discuss with a consultant.

One dose of migraleve isn't likey to have any effect, so don't panic. Just make sure you go to the docs asap and get a referal if you want it. They can walk you through the risks.

mumtorobbie · 30/12/2011 19:51

I ended up in A&E a few months ago and happened to mention to the consultant that I was worried about taking pink migraleve as I was pregnant and he came back with the senior consultant who said I should only take it under 'extreme circumstances' as it can cause neural defects.

This was later confirmed by my midwife and GP. However......I took it twice in my last pregnancy and there were no ill effects.

I doubt one dose is going to do any harm but I suffer from extreme focal migraines where I lose my sight and speech so I'm scared at getting a migraine during this pregnancy and not being able to pop a pink pill!

Don't panic - I'm sure everything is fine!

Poweredby200mgofCaffeineaday · 31/12/2011 19:14

Thanks oeisha and mumtorobbie for your replies. It seems it is something to be avoided if possible but it's not always possible. It returned with a vengeance this morning and I went to the Gp who said I could take it. In fact she recommended I take the yellow pills today to see it off as its been going on so long, so I did. Fingers crossed its now on its way out. I think this is the kind of thing that's going to generate different response from different docs to be honest as the evidence isn't there. I'll just have to hope one dose is ok and that I don't get any more.

OP posts:
FutureNannyOgg · 31/12/2011 19:32

I asked my GP about this when I was pg with DS (although IIRC it was imigran we discussed) She told me they were not considered OK, just because they weren't tested and proven safe (not because there were known effects) and suggested I should take paracetamol and codeine (fine for a one off, just not long term)

Enfyshedd · 31/12/2011 22:52

My midwife asked me what I take when I said I occasionally suffer from migraines - I told her Co-Codamol. She said that was fine until the 3rd trimester because then the codeine could affect lung development, but I don't know if another midwife might say something different.

Probably the most important thing is to try not to get dehydrated - I think that was the main factor behind my last migraine a week ago after I had a headache Xmas Day and woke up Boxing Day with terrible nausea and couldn't even face a glass of water. Trying to make sure I have at least a pint and a half of squash/cordial/water each day to keep my fluids up now.

Archip17 · 01/01/2012 14:24

I asked my GP specifically about migraleve to ease my horrendous migraines (as it was the only thing that helped with my migraines pre-pregnancy) and she looked up the ingredients and said because they basically just have codeine and paracetemol they were fine to take (from the second trimester). I've taken them when like you the pain has just been too awful (but most of the time I try to just have paracetemol). I'm currently 35+1.

I've also found that applying 4head topical stuff to my forehead takes the edge off slightly.

Oeisha · 01/01/2012 16:52

Migraleve yelllow is basically just paracetamol and codeine, so yes, will be fine. Most GPs do not realise there is a significant difference between the pink and yellow tablets I've found...if in doubt, ask a pharmacist and properly quiz them about the properties of each one. For example, Syndol is my drug of choice out of pg mainly because it has the highest dose of codeine and a decent balance of other helpers of all the OTC ones, but GPs often do not know this.

Codeine in itself has not been proven to harm lung development in itself (i.e. it probably won't cause abnormalities in itself) I think it's only near term that codeine is an issue, as it's the action of breathing that's subdued, so prolongued usage in 3rd trimester isn't advised - BUT think of all the Mums out there with SPD and the likes, they're not going to function at all without codeine and on the whole, their babies are 100% normal. I was also on codeine for a spell at 31-34wks and was told if LO made an appearance her breathing would be more sluggish and possibly 'delayed' because of the opoids as her responses would be slower, BUT the main issue then was preamturity and stopping my contractions and lowering our heartrates. It makes baby's nervous system confused and sluggish. Opoid abuse babies often need help with breathing when born etc as their systems are out of kilter. Babies that of Mums that have had opoids durng labour often have lower APGAR scores for example.

You will be told the same thing about pethidine and fentanyl (though this is faster dealt with by the body and given in 'weaker' more targeted doses and not everywhere offers this). These are routinely given to birthing mothers, though each one is often used at different stages...and baby will be monitored if you've been given these to look for fetal distress.

Because there have been no controlled studies done however, caution is advised and if at all possible, don't take codeine. BUT with all things in pregnancy, it's a risk vs benifits thing. The stress and distress and flooding of your 'natural' adrenalines etc of a refractory migraine could do just as much damage to baby or you as taking an opoid...

Imigran (sumatriptan) is a triptain and a totally different drug type, and abortive (in that is should stop the migraine, not just help you through it). Not ideal for babies because it's designed to inhibit the effects of seratonin (one theroy of why migraines happen is a wonky seratonin production system)... which isn't ideal is you don't have a migraine and are trying to grow your brain (like babies do)!

I have plenty of tops for helping ease a migraine (from me and others) if you want me to post them. Some have worked for me, some not, but if you're a regular migraineur then you'll probably know what you can and can't do to feel better.

herbietea · 01/01/2012 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Oeisha · 01/01/2012 18:14

3 asprin is a very hefty dose for pregnancy and unless prescribed asprin should be avoided totally in pregnancy, but I've heard this works too herbietea. Didn't for me. Sad

Enfyshedd · 01/01/2012 19:16

Asprin? Asprin thins your blood - I'd be avoiding it like the plague all through pregnancy even without being told not to take it by the midwife.

herbietea · 01/01/2012 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Oeisha · 01/01/2012 19:33

Apologies herbie you did indeed!

LunaticFringe · 01/01/2012 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page