What is Prodrin?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
Caffeine is a stimulant that causes narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction).
Isometheptene also causes narrowing of blood vessels.
The combination of acetaminophen, caffeine, and isometheptene is used to treat migraine headaches or severe tension headaches.
Acetaminophen, caffeine, and isometheptene may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide

What is the most important information I should know about Prodrin?

Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), o tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.
Do not use more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking 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.
Do not use diet pills, stimulants, or any other cold, allergy, pain, migraine, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as “APAP”) and caffeine are contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much acetaminophen or caffeine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, or caffeine.
If you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day, talk with your doctor before taking any medication that contains acetaminophen. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Prodrin?

glaucoma
severe kidney disease
severe liver disease (especially cirrhosis)
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure; or
heart disease

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

kidney or liver disease
a history of alcoholism
high blood pressure
blood circulation problems; or
if you have recently had a heart attack

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby, but it could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Before you take acetaminophen, caffeine, 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.

Prodrin Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Prodrin?

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, caffeine, 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; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness
mild skin rash
sleep problems (insomnia); or
feeling nervous, irritable, or jittery

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.

Prodrin Interactions

What other drugs affect Prodrin?

There may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen, caffeine, 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 Prodrin?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of caffeine while taking this medication. They can add to the side effects of the caffeine in the medication.
Do not use diet pills, stimulants, or any other cold, allergy, pain, migraine, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as “APAP”) and caffeine are contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much acetaminophen or caffeine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, or caffeine.

Prodrin Dosage

How should I take Prodrin?

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.
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 tablet or capsule every hour until you feel relief
Do not take more than a total of 5 tablets or capsules in any 12-hour period to treat a migraine
If you still have migraine symptoms after taking a total of 5 tablets or 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 tablet or capsule every 4 hours until you feel relief
Do not take more than a total of 8 tablets or capsules in any 24-hour period to treat a tension headache
If you still have tension headache pain after taking a total of 8 tablets or capsules, call your doctor

Acetaminophen may cause false urine glucose test results. Talk to your doctor if you have diabetes and you notice changes in glucose test results while taking acetaminophen, caffeine, and isometheptene.
Store acetaminophen, caffeine, and isometheptene at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

What happens if I overdose on Prodrin?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
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.

What happens if I miss a dose of Prodrin?

Since acetaminophen, caffeine, and isometheptene is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Prodrin