Imitrex vs. Midrin

• Are Imitrex and Midrin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Imitrex?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Midrin?
• What is Imitrex?
• What is Midrin?
• What Drugs Interact with Imitrex?
• What Drugs Interact with Midrin?
• How Should Imitrex Be Taken?
• How Should Midrin Be Taken?

Imitrex (sumatriptan) and Midrin (isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen) are used to treat migraine headaches.

Midrin is also used to treat severe tension headaches.

Imitrex and Midrin belong to different drug classes. Imitrex is a selective serotonin receptor agonist (also called a triptan) and Midrin is a combination of a pain reliever and fever reducer, a sedative, and a vasoconstrictor.

Common side effects of Imitrex include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• pain or chest tightness,
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• weakness,
• feeling hot or cold,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• drooling,
• unusual taste in your mouth after using nasal spray,
• burning/numbness/pain/irritation in your nose or throat after using nasal spray, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under the skin).

Common side effects of Midrin include:

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

Imitrex (sumatriptan) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used in oral, intranasal or injectable dosage form to treat migraine headaches. Imitrex is available as a generic drug.

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.

Imitrex may interact with sibutramine (Meridia); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) isocarboxazid (Marplan); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), serotonin; norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine (Effexor)) and duloxetine (Cymbalta); and ergot-containing medications, dihydroergotamine (Migranal) and ergotamine (Methergine).

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.

The maximum single recommended adult dose of Imitrex Injection for the acute treatment of migraine or cluster headache is 6 mg injected subcutaneously. For the treatment of migraine, if side effects are dose limiting, lower doses (1 mg to 5 mg) of Imitrex may be used.

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.