Migraleve Complete (16 Pink & 8 Yellow Tablets)

Product Summary

For the short-term treatment of acute moderate pain which is not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone, such as migraine attacks, including the symptoms of migraine, headache, nausea and vomiting.

There are two types of Migraleve tablet available:

• Migraleve Pink
• Migraleve Yellow

They are available separately or together in one pack.

• Migraleve Pink tablets contain paracetamol and codeine, which ease pain and buclizine, which helps relieve nausea and vomiting.
• The Pink tablets, therefore, treat all the symptoms of migraine: if taken at the first sign of a migraine, Migraleve Pink tablets can prevent an attack from developing.
• Migraleve Yellow tablets contain paracetamol and codeine for the treatment of pain and relief of continuing migraine symptoms.
• They should always be taken after the first dose of Migraleve Pink tablets.

Codeine can be used in children over 12 years of age for the short-term relief of moderate pain that is not relieved by other painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen alone.

This product contains codeine. Codeine belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics, which act to relieve pain.

Migraleve also contains paracetamol, another analgesic to relieve pain.

Directions

Children 12–15 years:

• Swallow ONE Migraleve Pink tablet at the first sign of a migraine attack.
• If the migraine persists, then take ONE Migraleve Yellow tablet 4 hours after the Pink dose and then every 4 hours.
• Do not take more than FOUR tablets (ONE pink and THREE yellow) 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.
• If the migraine persists, then take TWO Migraleve Yellow tablets 4 hours after the Pink dose and then every 4 hours.
• Do not take more than EIGHT tablets (TWO pink and SIX yellow) 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).

Migraleve Yellow

• The active ingredients in each MIGRALEVE® Yellow tablet are: Paracetamol DC 96% 520 mg equivalent to Paracetamol 500 mg and Codeine phosphate 8 mg.
• Other ingredients are magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica, stearic acid, pregelatinised maize starch, gelatin, hypromellose, macrogol, E104 (quinoline yellow), aluminium oxide, E171 (titanium dioxide) and E172 (iron oxide yellow).

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 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 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: drugs used 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.

Pharmacist FAQs Answered

When is the best time to take Migraleve to prevent an early migraine?

Migraleve is most effective when the pink tablet is taken at the onset of a migraine attack and not when the headache has already become severe. Treating early in this way prevents the migraine from developing. It also treats nausea, which makes it more difficult to swallow tablets later. If the pain still continues, you may continue with the yellow tablets as directed. Taking the pink dose late may mean it is not as effective, especially for nausea. If you are one of those people who get migraines while asleep or first thing in the morning, keep Migraleve beside you so that you may take it immediately. Timing is everything—leaving your dose too late will mean longer, worse migraines.

Can I take Migraleve on a school or working day?

Yes, but with caution. Migraleve can make you drowsy or dizzy, especially the pink tablets containing buclizine and codeine. This may affect your concentration or involvement in PE, cycling, or practical classes. If you are at work or school, inform an adult that you've taken it and are fine to remain. If you feel sleepy, nap in a quiet place and avoid using machinery or doing anything requiring full alertness. Take it with water and a light snack if you can, to avoid an upset stomach. It is ideal to use Migraleve at home initially to determine your body's reaction before using it on a school or workday.

How do I stop taking Migraleve safely if I've been taking it regularly?

If you've been taking Migraleve regularly, more than a few days in a row, you need to reduce the dosage under medical care. That is since codeine may cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms like agitation, headaches, or mood swings. Abrupt cessation can worsen migraines for a few days. To avoid this, consult your doctor or pharmacist—they can advise either switching to non-codeine therapy or decreasing how often you take it. You should also think about what is triggering your migraines and whether other treatments (such as daily preventatives, dietary modifications, or stress relief) might be helpful in the long run. Never stop taking strong painkillers abruptly without help—it's easier and safer with medical assistance.

Is it safe to take Migraleve for period pain or period cramps?

Migraleve must not be taken to relieve period pain, even though it contains painkillers. It's solely for migraines and their symptoms. Using it for other types of pain raises the risk of side effects, particularly from the codeine. If you're already taking it for a migraine and you also have period pain, it's best to speak with a pharmacist first before taking another painkiller like ibuprofen. It's dangerous to mix medicines with the same ingredients (like paracetamol). For regular period pain and migraines together, see your doctor to find out if there's a medicine that can safely treat both.

Can Migraleve affect your mood or mental health?

Yes, codeine and buclizine can influence your mood from time to time, especially if you use them regularly. You might become abnormally sleepy, irritable, or low in mood. Sometimes, codeine may confuse you or make you feel emotionally altered. This is more likely to happen if you are also taking other medications for depression or anxiety. And if you're feeling depressed, dizzy, or disconnected while you're taking Migraleve, tell a trusted adult and talk to your doctor about it. If your migraines are also occurring frequently and affecting your mental health—like making you worry about when the next one is going to strike—that's also worth mentioning. Migraines can be tough on daily life, but there is support.