I have a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) Midrin was the only medication that helped and it has been taken off the market why? I was informed last week when My Doctor okayed again my refill that Midrin was taken off the market? Why? This is the only medication that has helped me for 2 years with my terrible head pain. Looking for answers. The Pharmacistist didnt even know why it was taken off the market. So something that finally helps my terrible pain and you take it off the market why?? Thank You. Nanette Diocson
Why was Midrin taken off the market?
Question posted by Diocson56 on 16 March 2011
Last updated on 10 May 2019 by Mazza-H
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
11 Answers
Mazza-H
10 May 2019
Use/sale of Anything containing isometheptine is a violation of the federal court order banning it. There are no alternatives for Midrin because all of the alternative medications contain this drug. Personally as a 30 year migraine sufferer receiving 40 injections every 10 weeks and relying on Midrin as a breakthrough med.. I think the fda would prefer that I visit a local ER and be pumped with medications that incapacitate me. It’s shameful that people with this DISABILITY are cornered at the mercy of decision makers that enforce guidelines without any consideration for those affected.
dingalingas
18 Nov 2012
Just a recommendation on migraines, not Midrin. From the time I was 14 or 15 I would get headaches with vision loss, tingling in my extremities, numbness in throat and face and inability to speak correctly. I had all kinds of tests, horrible tests back then because MRIs and CTs weren't around yet. I was given every medication including pain medications, nothing worked. I ended up visiting the ER and was given an injection of three drugs, pain medicines and sent home to sleep it off. By my early twenties I worked in the hospital and became good friends with a neurologist who happened to be around once when my vision loss began. He took me to the ER examined me and gave me 50 mg of Benadryl and two Excedrin (this was before extra-strength and migraine Excedrin was around). My vision returned in record time, the tingling and numbness went away as well, That left me with just the headache, which didn't take long to go away.
That has been my go regimen ever since. I keep Benadryl and Excedrin in my purse, in my home, in my car, and at work. I have learned if I take it as soon as the aura starts it goes away quicker. It isn't perfect I still have some bad migraines and had to go to the ER, but it is more like twice a year instead of 4 or 5 times a month. Give it a try. You may be surprised!
Lisa1977
2 Nov 2012
The FDA said the pharmaceutical companies had to do the extensive testing that was not required in 1962 when Midrin came on the market. While Midrin had not been found to be a problem, it never had the extensive testing. It is not financially worth it for the pharmaceutical companies to spend so much on testing a relatively inexpensive medicine. Compounding pharmacies can make it with a prescription written with each ingredient and the amount. They make the pills themselves. Not all doctors are familiar with this and you may have to change doctors to find one who will write a prescription for a compounding pharmacy. Insurance companies vary in whether and how much they will cover a compounding pharmacy medicine. My insurance company covers it after I had a small stroke to go without it. I had a complex migraine that lasted 11 days and did not end until I found out about compounding pharmacies. Midrin is the only medicine that works for me. Acupuncture may also be helpful to some, which my insurance covers for pain.
lakegirl85
18 March 2012
Midrin has not been take off the market. I was prescribed midrin for migraine, it didn't help. The only medication that works for me is Fioricet. You should try it. It relieves the pressure unlike anything else I have tried.
gatorboy315
29 Dec 2011
My doctor prescribed Midrin to me yesterday. He informed me that the original manufacturer of the drug no longer makes it, and 4 of the 5 generic companies no longer make it. He told me it would be hard to find, but if I could find it, it should work out good. I found it at Pinebrook Pharmacy in Brooksville, Florida. Their phone number is 352-610-4347. Maybe you could have your pharmacy contact them and find out where they get it from. My insurance would not cover it, but it cost me $39 for a month supply. Hope this helps.
NBFCPRX
31 Aug 2011
Midrin has been discontinued from the manufacturer but you can still get them at Northbay Family Compounding Pharmacy (NBFCP dot com). Have your doctor call us at 707-421-1117 along with your information. Someone at the Pharmacy will contact you and then mail out your RX to your home. Call us if you have any questions.
GrandmaD
9 Aug 2011
According to our family physician Midrin is still off the market. My daughter suffers from migraines. When we asked for a new presciption for Midrin he informed us that it was taken off of the market. Which it is ashame, because it worked great for my daughter's migraines. However, the doctor gave her a new prescription similar to Midrin, called Prodrin ( I believe that is the name).
maki808
19 Sep 2011
Contact NBFCP.com, they have Midrin.
cetteferge
15 July 2011
Midrin has finally been put back on the market, but it is MUCH more expensive than it was before. I think the pharmaceutical company has realized how many people depend on this medication. Therefore, the price has risen to nearly ten times the original price before they took it off the market. I am now able to get it again, at ten times the price!
tanderz
31 May 2011
I've taken Midrin or its generic for years for my migraines. It works great for me. But I've also gotten the run around about what is and isn't manufactured any more. I've heard the generics are no longer made, but Midrin is and the manufacturer is overwhelmed with orders, so it's next to impossible to get.
I've also been told that Midrin itself is no longer made, but there are generics available. And I've also found that it depends on the pharmacy you go to. I had to shop around to get my last script, because not all had inventory. And, believe it or not, I was told my last script was a generic of a generic. It was ISOMETHEPT-DICHLORALP-ACETAMIN which is just the ingredients and no actual name such as Duradin or Midrin, etc.
I'm still looking for an answer. I react strangely to many medications and I don't want to try something else. I can never know when I might get a headache and Midrin has no side effects for me. My job requires that I carry a gun and if I have to change to a medication that inhibits my judgement or ability to do my job, I'll be forced to take time off when I don't want to and can't afford it. And that might also cause my employer to find a way to fire me. I'm sure I'm not the only migraine sufferer who has issues with employers. Unless you're bleeding, you are often seen as faking, to get time off. Midrin has been a life saver in such situations.
@ msfino
Ellen, I think Midrin is suppose to work best for those who get an aura before the headache. I am one of those. I have about 15 minutes to take Midrin after I get the aura. I take two caps at first, then one cap an hour, until I've taken 5 in total. I can't take more than 5 in 12 hour period. Following these instructions, I don't get the headache. It works great for this purpose.
I don't think it works that well for someone with another type of migraine. And, if I wake up with a headache, because I got the aura while asleep, or I don't get to the medication within that 15 minute time frame, Midrin does little for me, either. Once I have the headache, Midrin doesn't help. I think it was never intended to be. I always have 5 caps with me, in a sealed container on my key ring. My headaches were not because of an injury or accident. I've had migraines as long as I can remember.
Inactive
2 June 2011
Thanks for the info, and you are correct, I DON'T get aura's, so I suppose that was why it never worked for me. I was just trying to give examples of other meds that could possibly used instead of midrin.
mamajos
11 July 2011
I'm not sure if this will help everyone but I just recently found out that Midrin was no longer available. Then I was talking to one of the nurses at the hospital and she suggested contacting a compounding Pharmacy. In factshe called one for me and they said the could compound it for me. I called my Doctor, she was thrilled and she called them immediately with a perscription for me. It was a little spend but I have it now when I need it. Just a thought.
shopgirlly
5 May 2011
I was told that "Midrin" no longer exists. BUT all the "generics" are made. However, I was told by pharmacy that "All generics" (such as Epidrin, Miqiun, too many to name) have quote, "stopped manufacturing." NO ONE will explain why it was stopped. Not pharmacist, doctor, etc. I have a feeling that the FDA is cracking down on meds with Tylenol in them. Because of liver damage of long time usage? I will be happy to post when I know more. I also have not seen it on the FDA newsletter as another user has noted. It has been devastating to not be able to use this drug! It too has been lifesaver for me for many, many years for TENSION headaches. I am suffering in silence so to speak. I do know of another drug for headaches that makes one with Tylenol and one with Aspirin. I was put on a muscle relaxer that is for skeletal tissue, and it does help ME but only for a few hours and limited in taking amount daily because it can suppress your breathing.
It is FLEXRIL--generic is Cyclobenzapr. Remember, this is just my own experience/opinion. If u want to communicate further we can use Facebook, etc. Just let me know. Hope Midrin generics are going to change Tylenol to Aspirin and start manufacturing again! I will do a full Internet search and post any answers I find regarding Midrin.
Inactive
17 March 2011
I think that you may have been mistaken. Midrin is still on the market. Maybe that drug store has chosen not to sell it anymore, or it is backordered. The only other thing that I can think of is that they are changing the Tylenol dosage on the meds. I have the FDA update that comes every time the FDA issues a recall or a new medication, and Midrin has NOT been listed as taken off the market. I also looked up Midrin on Drugs.com, and it still is listed also. Try another pharmacy. Good luck!!
shopgirlly
5 May 2011
Just wanted to note my experience. I too think it is the Tylenol dosage. I too have not seen it on the FDA watch list and have NOT seen generic Midrin on any FDA list. It has NOT been taken off market as you noted, but "Midrin" no longer exists. It is now made in generic form by several manufacturers. Pharmacist told me to call around to other drug stores to see if they have any left on shelf. It cannot be ordered as told because it has "stopped manufacturing." Reason? Ha. Nobody will say, nobody. I checked every pharmacy and I live in a rather large city. Nobody can order it, but they may still have some left in their inventory. Nope, checked every and all. Told to check the small "mom & pop" pharmacies. Didn't pan out either. Just have to wait and see if they replace it with Aspirin and start to manufacture again. Do you remember the "Great Midrin Shortage of 2007?" Google it.
I just read: "Carnrick Laboratories, which closed down operations many years ago after selling their rights to Midrin® to Woman's First Healthcare (WFHC)." Also saw that Midrin (around since 1960's?) was NEVER an FDA approved medicine. Read that someone said that FDA stopped all and will not allow to be in future. I have seen many opinions of users, just want answers from makers of the drug! Thanks for your post here.
Inactive
6 May 2011
I assume that you take midrin for migraines. It NEVER worked for me. I was in a pain and rehabilitation center, (for migraines from a car accident)and the stupid doctor said pick one, Midrin or Fioracet. I replied that I had never heard of either one of them, but he just kept repeating himself... "pick one", so I picked Midrin. He gave me two capsules at first and four more for the day, and the I could take two capsules again. Needless to say, I was on the entire dosage for SIX WEEKS! Never a single relief for the migraine. The reason I am telling you this story is that my husband takes Fioracet for migraines and it works like a dream for him. Me, I have liver disease from all the Tylenol I injested. (Just kidding). The point is, if you can't get Midrin anymore, try something else such as fioracet. Also, the new triptans are fantastic for migraines... expensive. but they work, and when you have a migraine, anything that works is worth it's price in gold. Good luck, I hope that this helped. Ellen
janelje
3 June 2011
The reason was that Midrin was never approved by the FDA. It was grandfathered in years ago. The FDA has being pulling all these meds off the market. Colchine, quinine, certain throid products are others. I am a pharmacist.
sarahtrick531
7 June 2011
Drugs.com is wrong midrin was taken off the market. I also read an article that said midrin was never approved by the FDA
ksa050
25 June 2011
This drug can be compounded. Go to a compounding drugstore and they can make it for you as to the specs your Doctor recommends.
happy.gardener
5 Aug 2011
I get variants of migraines, some cause light sensitivity, others sound and (thankfully very rarely) both. To me it feels like a wool cap forcing my thoughts into a blur and putting me a war with my stomach. While a tea made of Basil helps me almost all the time I can't make tea at work, and Excedrin Migraine does not always cut it. I was upset when the pharmacy said they could not get "midrin" or the generic. But two of the comments about the Tylenol dosage changes could explain a lot. I have been on Imitrex, Axert and Zomig with varying responses, but I don't get these headaches often enough to qualify for the shots. I guess if I can't get anything useful I will have to find a way to make tea at work... gotta pay the bills.
sambetta21
3 Sep 2018
Sept. 2018. Midrn was taken off the market because , after all these years the FDA realized that it had never proven that it was a treatment for migraines. I couldnt believe it. I was told this by my doctor. I got the last 15 Pills at Walmart . I cant take the ergotrates , I had heart attack symptoms. Midrin is the only thing that helped /Prodrin , well you can forget that one to it has everything midrin has but the blood vessel sedative which is what helps mine. My migraines are so bad that my eyes do not react to light. after extensive tests I found my birth mother and she suffered from migraines all through her school years . 2 out of 4 of my children have them and 3 of my granchildren get them . All because the didnt properly record and prove they get rid of migraines . It amazes me that it took them all these years to pull them off the shelf My even in Canada and I have gone as far as to check Canada and Mexico. Recalled in Canada .
They say they have it in Mexico (and a prescription is no problem my dr. will write it. )but when I went to order it wasnt there they must have discontinued it.
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midrin, head injury, pain, doctor, medication
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