Thank you Teri for this update and it is definately good news that Excellium Pharmaceuticals is looking into FDA approval. The cynical part of me now wonders if after all that it will become a more expensive medication. I found a compounding pharmacy that made a combo of isometheptene mucate / caffeine / acetaminophen without the dichloralphenazone but the caffeine makes me nervous. At least it is something until something better comes along. Thanks again.
Lisa,
You're very welcome. I hear that cynical part, darlin! Don't know if it's going to impact the cost, but I can tell you that it has cost Excellium several million dollars to do everything needed to apply for FDA approval. Given that there's a much smaller market for this type of medication than medicaitons such as antibiotics, "regular" pain meds, etc., I'm very impressed that Excellium is willing to go for the approval because, honestly, I can't see them every making those millions back in profits. Sometimes, businesses do "have a heart."
Teri
My thanks as well. I am just now in the loop on this. I was just prescribed Fioricet which did ok today, but my migraine is not gone. There is caffiene in it, but I did not feel poorly from it or too jacked up.
I cannot take Maxalt or Imitrex - I get a burning sensation in my jaw on the left side with those medications. I'll welcome any other thoughts or suggestions!
Thanks again.
ED
Ed,
You're very welcome.
Fioricet is a poor substitute for these medications. In fact, I don't consider it a substitute at all. Midrin, Epidrin, and the other similar medicatrions are Migraine abortive medications. They actually work to stop the Migrainous process, thus stopping the symptoms as well. Fioricet is a pain reliever. It can't stop a Migraine. It can only mask the pain for a few hours.
Hopefully Epidrin will be available again soon. In the meantime, you might talk with your doctor to see if he thinks you could try some of the newer triptans such as Relpax or Axert.
Whene I get any further updates, I'll be posting them.
Teri
Many thanks for the explanation, Teri. Have you ever heard of anyone else getting jaw burning pain from Maxalt, Imitrex or Axert? I just took an Axert and was very hopeful it was going to help, but it gives me the same jaw pain.
Thank goodness I see the doctor next week so that I can talk with him more about other medications.
Your time is appreciated. Thank you!
ED
Ed,
I don't know that I've ever heard anyone describe a buring feeling along the jaw from triptans, but your experience is pretty plain evidence that it can happen. Since it's happened with several triptans, I don't know what your doctor would say about ergotamine abortives, but you could ask. There's DHE-45, which is administered by a subcutaneous injection, and Migranal Nasal Spray.
You're very welcome. Wish I could do more.
If you remember, let me know what your doc says?
Teri
I just bumped up my appt to Monday of next week, and I will definitely let you know what the doctor says. They did say they were having problems with calling in Epidrin as well. I am in Columbus, OH and seems they are out of it all around here.
I did get Midrin in December in Sarasota FL at a CVS.
Many thanks again - really - I am so glad I found this forum.
I just spoke to my Walgreens pharmacist who is wonderful. He is aware also of the spring Epidrin arriving and the company who manufactures it. I also called CVS and they told me it was on back order. I will be patiently waiting it. I am having a lot of problems with the Triptans making me feel very dizzy and faint.
Teri -
I found a blurb about the jaw pain I get from Triptans - thought it was interesting:
Triptans
Triptans are the most commonly prescribed medications for migraines, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These drugs are effective at relieving migraine pain quickly, working on inflammation in the blood vessels that causes migraine pain. In addition, triptans are helpful for easing common discomfort associated with migraine headaches, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Side effects of triptans include risk of rebound headaches (occurring with frequent use), tightness or pain in the chest, vertigo, fatigue, jaw, throat or neck pain. Rarely, serious cardiac effects have occurred in patients with risks of cardiac complications. Those with existing conditions are generally not prescribed triptans, however.
It's great that you have a pharmacist you can count on. They really make a difference.
We'll all have to keep our eyes and ears open and keep each other informed. I'll be watching new FDA approvals very closely.
Teri
I get this pain from taking Relpax. Sometimes it occurs, sometimes not.. and sometimes the pain varies in intensity. I get it from my jaw (both sides) down to the bottom of my neck. Often when I take it I have to take a muscle relaxer with it and I use a heating pad (actually one you heat in the microwave) and put it on my jaw. I usually look funny because I've got the ice pack on my head and heating pad on my neck!!
Dear Lynchpins -
You pretty much described what happens to me with the pain from taking Triptans. I have never taken a muscle relaxer but that sounds appropriate. I do have a cold washcloth on the head and one of those buckwheat pillows to zap in the microwave.
Thanks for sharing your story. I thought I might be the only one with those reqactions.
ED
I think so too. Also for me, Vicodin gives me what I call "Medicine Head." This medicine gets rid of the headache temporarily, but after two days of I get this awful fuzzy, achy migraine headache and it is worse and I get another migraine. It also gives me the worst stomach problems. It also causes rebound headaches. I try not to take it for too long. Firocet does the same thing to me. Please come back Midrin type medicine!!!
I recently have discovered Midrin has been discontinued and I have been taking generic Imitrex and Vicodin, but it does not work as well and I get more rebound headaches. I am glad to know that something new is in the works. The bad thing is that the pharmacists at least at CVS have no idea about the new drug being manufactured and different ones have told me different things. Very frustrating.
Artsywoman,
Epidrin isn't new. It's been around for some time now. Currently, pharmacies can't order it because it's not being made or shipped. Some pharmacies may have some left. If your prescription was written for Midrin, the CVS pharmacist may not have known to look to see if there was any Epidrin in stock. I'm not sure if they could fill a Midrin prescription with Epidrin or not since it's technically not a "generic." You might check to see if they have any or could get any from another CVS store. Then, if they can, you could get a new prescription from your doctor.
Teri
Hello, Thanks for all of that information. I really appreciate it and the article also!
Hello. You're very welcome. Glad to have been able to help.
Teri
Terri,
Now sure if you already said something about this. But, I found that my Costco had a full bottle (what ever size that is) of Midrin on thier shelf still. I was able to fill another script at the moment. They may still have that due to the fact less people fill thier perscriptions at Costco than at a CVS or Walgreens? Hope this helps someone.
Christa
Great point, Christa!
Thanks for posting it.
Teri
I am presently taking Midrin or the Generic isometh D. I used to take Maxalt and Zomig but had to stop because I have mitral valve prolapse ( heart condition ) and I was getting chest pains what am I supposed to do ???????
I also have MVP and I am concerned. I am using a low dose of Zovra which is a lower dose triptan and Vicodin. It does not work for me very well. I also am having trouble. I get so irritated when people say take Imitrex or the other triptans, as if they are the miracle cure. I have heard this so many times and it irritates me!
I also take Imitrex to try and abort a bad Migraine. And I also have MVP. Hmmm,none of my doctors seem to see a problem there. Thats a little scarry. There are just too many aspects to this disorder that are hard to deal with.
Alexa,
Epidrin will likely be available again in the next few months. Other than that, I don't know what to recommend other than talking with your doctor. One thing you can do is to call pharmacies near you to see if any of them have any Midrin, Epidrin, or any of these meds still in stock. Some people have been able to find some.
Good luck,
Teri
Artsywoman,
Do you mean Frova?
Teri
Christa,
Many women who have Migraines have MVP. I've never heard of MVP alone being a reason not to take triptans. Alexa mentioned that she'd had chest pains when she took triptans, so evidently, her doctor let her try them.
This is obviously of concern for you. I suggest that you talk with your doctor about it to put your mind at ease. There's enough to worry about without worrying about this too. Ask your doctor so he or she can explain it to you. OK?
Teri
Hi, yes I do. I am sorry I keep forgetting the name of it. My Neurologist gave me a few samples, but it did not work very well for me.
Artsywoman,
No problem. I was just trying to be sure I knew what you were referring to. Frova is the newest of the triptans. There are two others that came out not too long before it did -- Relpax and Axert. If you haven't tried them, you might talk with your doctor about them. He should have samples of them too.
Teri
Thanks Teri we are so lucky to have an expert like yourself. I have had mild chest pains that come and go since I was 30. They were always dismissed by doctors to only be told that I was having anxiety attacks or muscle strain in the chest muscles. I started taking tripitans for migraines about a year ago and then about 6 months ago I started to get severe chest pains I felt like I was having a heart attack so I went to a different doctor, a woman and she was very concerned sent me immediately to see a heart specialist who ran many tests and diagnosied me with MVP. Apparently I have had it for years and didnt even know it because none of the pother doctors took me seriously and I kept getting dianosed as having anxiety attacks. The heart spec8ialist said it is certain that I have MVP and the triptans (at the time I was taking maxalt and zomig) was making my chest pains wrost and suggested I stop using them.
So then I went to my neuro and told him that I have MVP and need to go off the triptans. He said I could take the Imitrex instead and didnt seems to be concerned that ZI had MVP and I even told him the heart specialist told me to stop taking it and the Neuro was suprised by that.
So then he put me on that generic Midrin Isometh. It s ok and doesnt work as well as the Maxalt bit it is ALOT cheaper. I get the Isometh for 10$ for 60 pills. The maxalt was $25 a pill and I was onLY 4 OR 6 Pills a month depnsing on which insurance I had at the time.
I have an appt coming up with the neuro so I will as him about that drug E that Teri talked about.
Is MVP and migraines related??
Alexa,
You're welcome, and thanks right back to you!
Sorry you're not being listened to. One thing to keep in mind is that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine specialists. If you feel you need better treatment, a change in doctors might be in order.
I hear you on the cost factor AND the insurance company limitations. Wish someone would make the insurance companies stop practicing medicine.
You might want to do some calling around before your upcoming appointment to see if any of the pharmacies have Midrin, Epidrin, Duradin, or that "generic." If you find something, then you'll know what to ask your doctor for. They're all the same thing as Midrin. Midrin, however, will not be coming back, and Epidrin will.
Keep me posted?
Teri
Thank you, Teri, for the news that Excellium Pharmaceuticals is in the process of submitting an application to the FDA for Epidrin. Your work in providing us with reliable information is the best in the nation. Bless you!
If and when Epidrin is back on the market, I shall have my life back. Until then, I stay out of the sunlight, am careful not to over-exert, and will miss out on many of the usual activities - like eating out at restaurants and Ohio State football games in The Shoe ! My diet is back to pure bland. Thank goodness, I am
retired.
I have been on Midrin for over 30 years. It simply works effectively to stop the migraine with no side-effects. I have tried the other alternatives listed here with no success - they did not stop the migraine - and the new meds left me with horrible stomach and chest pains, dizziness, vomiting, the runs, etc., along with
a head-pounding migraine. After about nine days, it lets up. It is, however,
good for losing about 14 pounds in the nine days.
Again, my sincere thanks to Teri !
I contacted Excellium today to understand why there was a delay until the spring to get this medication to the market. I was told by both the receptionist and another more senior member of the company that the product had been discontinued and they submitted to the FDA that they would no longer manufacture the product. Also that this change resulted in layoffs due to the number of drugs that were effected. I hope that your information is from a better source than mine.
I hope this is not true. I am not sure what to believe anymore. I am having a terrible time with Imitrex causing stomach pain and chest pain. The Vicodin is causing severe rebound headaches for me also. HELP
This is not what I was just told by an official of the company.
For the latest update on this situation, see Migraine Meds Epidrin, Midrin Update 1/28/11.
Teri
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Thank you so much for your thorough investigation of the discontinuation of Midrin. I went into panic mode yesterday when I found out I couldn't get my Midrin refilled. I didn't know what I was going to do. My Doctor gave me a script for some other migraine medicine. It's called...something..Benzoate? I can't remember. My husband just took it to get filled for me. So we will see how it works out. Good luck to all migraine sufferers! I feel your pain!
You're very welcome, Bridgie.
Please let me know what it is your doctor prescribed and how it works for you?
Teri
My doctor prescribed me Maxalt (Rizatriptan Benzoate). Fortunately I haven't needed to try it yet. Have you heard of it or know if it works? I also lucked on getting my refill of Midrin somehow. But I expect it will probably be my last, so I will use it sparingly if possible. But I think with my next attack I may try the Maxalt and see how well that works. I will let you know. Thank you!
Bridgie,
Yes, I've used Maxalt. It's one of the triptan family, the family of Imitrex. It worked well for me. Hope it works well for you too.
Teri
Teri,
Thank you so much for your help. I am always nervous about trying a new medication. This will be my first Triptan, I hope it works as well for me as it did for you. Thanks so much, I feel much better now. Not as stressed.
Bridgie,
You are so very welcome. It always helps to talk with someone who has tried a medication that's new to us, so I'm glad I had personal experience with Maxalt to share with you. I've tried several of the triptans now. They've all worked for me. If cost is a factor, you might like to know that two are now available in generics -- sumatriptan (Imitrex) and naratrpitan (Amerge).
Keep me posted, kiddo!