What is Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.

Dichloralphenazone is a sedative that slows the central nervous system.

Isometheptene causes narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction).

The combination of acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene is used to treat migraine headaches or severe tension headaches.

Acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), dichloralphenazone, isometheptene, or chloral hydrate (Somnote), or if you have:

• glaucoma; or
• if you are also taking sodium oxybate (Xyrem)

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:

• liver disease
• kidney disease
• coronary artery disease, circulation problems
• high blood pressure
• stomach ulcer or problems with your esophagus
• depression
• a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
• if you have recently had a stroke or heart attack

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Amidrine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• low fever with nausea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite
• dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• fast or uneven heart rate
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness
• mild nausea; or
• mood changes

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Amidrine Interactions

What other drugs affect Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis); or
• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can cause headaches, and may also increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

Do not use any cold, allergy, pain, migraine, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as “APAP”) is contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, or APAP.

Amidrine Dosage

How should I take Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Using more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen and never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

You may take this medication with or without food.

Take the medicine with a full glass of water.

To treat migraine headache pain:

• Take the first dose of this medication as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun
• If your headache does not completely go away, take 1 capsule every hour until you feel relief
• Do not take more than a total of 5 capsules in any 12-hour period to treat a migraine
• If you still have migraine symptoms after taking a total of 5 capsules, call your doctor

To treat tension headache pain:

• Take the first dose of this medication as soon as you notice tension headache symptoms
• If your headache does not completely go away, take 1 capsule every 4 hours until you feel relief
• Do not take more than a total of 8 capsules in any 24-hour period to treat a tension headache
• If you still have tension headache pain after taking a total of 8 capsules, call your doctor

Call your doctor if this medication seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Also call your doctor if your headaches get worse or you have more than 2 headaches per week.

Do not stop using this medication suddenly if you have been using it for longer than 2 weeks in a row, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests, including tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene.

Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light.

What happens if I overdose on Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Other overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness or drowsiness, feeling restless or cold, changes in your breathing or heart rate, and fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Amidrine (Apap/Dichloralphenazone/Isometheptene)?

Since acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene is taken only when needed, you will not be on a daily dosing schedule.

Do not take more than 5 capsules in 12 hours to treat a migraine, or 8 capsules in 24 hours to treat a tension headache.

Edited from everydayhealth.com