Update 10/28/2018: Midrin and Midrin equivalents have been completely discontinued under FDA orders. (Learn more in this article: Say Goodbye to Midrin and Midrin Equivalents.) You may still be able to get what you need from a compounding pharmacy.
An equivalent to Midrin, which is made of the exact same ingredients as Midrin was, is now readily available. My pharmacist called to tell me the news and I had the pleasure of letting my headache specialist know.
Teri Robert of Migraine.com found that Macoven Pharmaceuticals makes the Midrin equivalent currently available. If your pharmacist doesn’t have it in stock, give them Macoven’s contact information and they should be able to order Isometh/Dich/Apap capsules (that stands for isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone, and acetaminophen, the components of Midrin). If not, a compounding pharmacy can still make it for you.
Though a Macoven employee told Teri that the company is working with the FDA to keep Midrin available, the fact stands that the drug has not been approved under the FDA’s current drug approval requirements. Unless the FDA changes the policy or a company spends the money on drug trials (which is highly unlikely), there’s no guarantee it will stay on the market.
Thanks for your sleuthing, Teri.
Can u still get the ingrediants?
Hi Michelle, you can get it compounded at a compounding pharmacy, but it is no longer available at regular pharmacies.
Take care,
Kerrie
The pharmacy I have it being compounded at has been able to get the ingredients, but every once in a while one of them is temporarily unavailable. Apparently there is only one manufacturer of that ingredient, and they aren’t in constant production of it. I guess there isn’t as much need for it, outside of our need.
I don’t know about how much others need, but I am getting at least 100 pills a month but can take 4 – 6 a day. More than 6 I just crawl back into bed, call in sick to work, and hope the world quiets down.
I have accounts at 2 different pharmacies so when one is out of ingredients I check with my backup and sometimes they still have enough I can get by until it is available again.
Did anyone find any replacement for Midrin that works just as good? I read all the posts, but some say use a compounding pharmacy while others state that there is a generic version that can be obtained through a local pharmacy. It would be nice if there was a drug name that I could give my doctor to prescribe so my insurance covers it. Any updated info will be GREATLY appreciated.
Hi Justin, it is no longer available through a regular pharmacy. You can only get it at a compounding pharmacy. This appears to be the FDA’s final decision, so there’s no expectation that will ever be available at a regular pharmacy again. Sorry to bring bad news.
Take care,
Kerrie
Unfortunately, no insurance should pay for this, compounded or not. It is not an “approved” drug, it has no medicinal use (per FDA) so insurance should not cover it. The only way to get this is with a doctor’s prescription, that isn’t the factor on whether or not an insurance company will cover it.
Right now, compounding is the only way to get it. IF you can get it. According to my pharmacy, one of the drugs is currently unavailable, until they can get some they cannot compound my medicine.
Hopefully before the end of October they will be able to start making my pills again.
Let us know if you need this compounded. We have all the ingredients to make it. Some pharmacies say they can’t get all the ingredients due to shortages. Corner Drugs & Compounding Center 706-695-0444
The Elements Compounding Pharmacy in Gilbert AZ ([phone 480-625-4750) can prepare this Rx for you; they quoted me $120 for 90 capsules. They said insurance probably doesn’t cover it, since they are a compounding pharmacy.
Midrin and all the generic equivalents were removed from the market years ago, not because of any dangerous issues but because it was an old drug and no manufacturer wanted to pay millions of dollars to prove to the FDA it was safe and effective. We all know it was safe and effective because millions of people took it for many years. So as a compounding pharmacy, we can compound it with a prescription from your doctor. Call the pharmacy at 706-695-0444 ext 103 and I will fax your doctor for a compounded prescriptions. This compound has the exact same ingredient as Midrin.
Dr. Jim Richards, Corner Drugs & Compounding Center, Chatsworth GA
Westlab Pharmacy in Gainsville Florida is compounding for me. I am paying 125 per 100. Same as any pharmacy, you have to have a prescription, and likely live in the state (pharmacies cannot mail prescriptions to places they don’t have licenses for).
I have a relative picking them up and mailing them to me.
https://www.thecompoundingshoppe.com
The Compounding Shoppe on Independence Drive in Homewood (Birmingham) Alabama 35209. 205 871 3150. You will need to have your doctor call them with a prescription. It’s about $60 for 30 capsules. They are very nice.
I have found a place here in Alabama – The Compounding Shoppe that was able to compound it for me (at about $2 a pill). You still need to have a prescription from your doctor and I don’t think any insurance covers it, but I think it’s still totally worth it!
The Compounding Shoppe is in Homewood AL on Independence Drive. They have a website. For those of you that were desperate as I was (down to my last 2 very expired pills), this is such a relief.
I would love to l ow the website or contact info for this compound pharmacy that makes the midrin! I have two oills also and in desprate need to get these pulls that are the only thing that helps my pain woth these migrains.
Because insurance wouldn’t cover it (not approved for any condition) I had to find a pharmacy that would compound it. Except for a period of time when one of the ingredients was unavailable, that has been the least expensive option.
I did try the prodrin… can’t say it helped at all. not even close to the releif from Midrin.
I’ve been using Midrin for a few years and now, in October 2018, I have been told it’s been on back order/the pharmacy cannot get it any more. The best they can get is a $3000 script that insurance won’t pay. I cannot use triptans, Midrin was the only thing that even begins to relieve my month long migraines. I am now on the path of finding every single name of every version of this Isometh/Dich/Apap out there and see if it’s still available somewhere.
Hi Tina, unfortunately, the FDA has disallowed Midrin and all Midrin equivalents from being sold: https://migrainedisease.com/news/midrin-and-equivalents-for-migraine-say-good-bye/. You may still be able to get what you need from a compounding pharmacy. When I did this several years ago, it cost about $1 a pill. Best of luck in your search.
Take care,
Kerrie
Keep me updated on midrin please
My doctor ordered Isometh/Dich/Apap capsules and I had it filled at Rite Aid. I have Blue Shield PPO insurance and only had to pay my normal copay. The only draw back is it didn’t work as well for me as the original Midrin had worked.
My pharmacist called, he was able to find a program that got the price back down, for me, to $170 for 100 pills. The only reason I use that pharmacy is him. The other pharmacists there… well… not so much.
FDA doesn’t list the drug as approved for anything. So if you have an insurance company which does cover it, count yourself lucky.
Federal US Law doesn’t allow compounding pharmacies to compound a drug that is in actual production. If it is available from a company, it cannot be compounded. Found that out the hard way.
Macoven still produces the midrin equivalent.
Prices went up again though.
For me, GoodRX *was* getting me the price listed, $170 for 100 pills. I went to get it refilled today and the phamacy told me the price had gone up, to over $400 WITH the GoodRX discount. While GoodRX still claims the $170 price on their site.
Right now it is still available, but affordability is the question. Since this is now a “not approved” drug, no insurance company will cover it so if you need it, prepare to pay cash and pay a lot for it.
I had been getting it compounded for $1 a pill, but when that pharmacy closed and I went to another compounding pharmacy I was told they couldn’t do it because it was available on the market (can’t compound a medication that is commercially available, by law). So the price jumped… and has continued to jump. With another huge leap today, in my case.
I don’t know what full retail is for this, but if discounted it is over $400 for 100 pills, it must have really jumped.
David, thanks for the update. When you say it isn’t approved, do you mean by the FDA or by your insurance company? My insurance still covers it as a generic.
Good news, though. I found it for as low as $1.56 on CanadaDrugs.com under the name Midrid. You may also want to contact another compounding pharmacy to double-check on the legal issue. Many readers have had success with Lee Davis Compounding Pharmacy (http://leedavispharmacy.com/jml/) and I’ve heard from some who have used Lee Davis even after Macoven began producing Midrin.
Best of luck finding it. Please let us know how it goes.
Take care,
Kerrie
Is this information about Macoven/Pernix Pharmaceuticals still good on Nov 2015?
I have used the Generic of Midrin for over 5 years and it stops my Migraines in their tracks. I need help to pay for it. My last script was $150.00.
Sharon, take a look at GoodRx (http://www.goodrx.com/). It’s a drug discount program that gives you prices on the website. The prices on the website don’t always match what a pharmacy will actually charge, but it’s a good starting point. Here’s a review of my experience with GoodRx: http://migraine.com/blog/prescription-drug-discount-cards-and-a-goodrx-review/.
Take care,
Kerrie
Macoven Pharmacuticals is now under Pernix Therapeutics Holdings and they have a Midrin equivalent called Nolodor. They also have a generic version.
Thanks for the information, Robert.
My daughter who is now 16 has been having debilitating migrains since she was about 5 yrs old. She’s had a long history of health issues from birth (open heart surgery) and many other surgeries due to a genetic blood clotting gene that was handed down on my side. We’ve tried EVERYTHING under the sun to help them. Nothing worked until we found Midrin and she was soo thankful even at 8 years old.
When Midrin was recalled she was so upset….but thanks to Macoven ( Isometh/Apap/Dichlor ) they saved her. All I heard was “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” They don’t ALWAYS work & rarely I still have to take her to the ER (unfortunately they know her well) and they administer a concoction of Benedryl & something else by IV which knocks her out for a full day) which is $900 vs $45 (my cost) or $2 (if her insurance would cover it) but her Medicaid doesn’t wish to cover this script and would rather pay the $900 if I can’t afford the script and my being on disability I get Medicare so not like we have $$$.
These are cheaper than Midrin by almost 50% as Midrin used to cost me $98 so again; Thank You Macoven. She doesn’t take them often, but when she needs them…..she NEEDS them. I have so much Empathy for all you sufferers. All I get is Optical Nerve Migrains which block your vision, but are absolutely painless. I have to pay for these out of pocket so best know I will stock up on them for her just in case these get recalled too. She has many years of dealing with these. I wish you all the best of health.
I’ve been calling area pharmacies for quite a while. Everyone kept saying the same thing – “they were all recalled & off the market”.
Just happened to stumble across one that had a bottle of 100+ capsules left, due to having ordered them some time ago (they never saw the recall message). Anyway, I immediately had my physician fax in a script for all the remaining capsules. Got them all for $97 cash (could not use insurance cause they “don’t exist”. What a bargain ! These will last me forever. I only use them if I have to & believe me, a migraine is very different from a regular headache. My last script of 20 lasted over 6 years. But, they are the ONLY thing that works on a migraine.
I am fed up with my neurologist. I suffer from migraines for over 30 yrs now. I slso have ms. But my dr refuses to give me what works. I used to take midrin 30 yrs ago. Wish i could still get it. He now refuses to use fiorocet. Im at a loss. In pain. 4 migraines in less than a week.. Do u know how or where i can get relief meds without a presciption
Stacey, the generic equivalent of Midrin IS available. A lot of doctors and pharmacists don’t know it, so you may have to urge them to look into it. Tell them it’s made by Macoven Pharmaceuticals. They seem to be the primary manufacturer, but I’ve also gotten some made by Method Pharmaceuticals. I’ve been able to get the prescription filled at CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Walmart, and an independent pharmacy, but you may have to ask them to order it for you.
Take care,
Kerrie
Kerrie is correct. I was in contact with Macoven this morning. They sell their generic at Walmart, Walgreens, Target and CVS as Isometh/Dichlor/APAP. I just got mine filled at Walmart and it cost about $95 for 60 capsules. You better believe I am going to stock up just incase!!
Thank you for sharing this info and I definitely will ask my doctor about it because I really depend on Midrin for migraines. Everything else did not work for me. Midrin has helped me over the years and I was very disappointed when I was told it was being discontinued. Seems like any meds that work for an individual,is being discontinued or no longer available. For us that depends on meds that actually work, it is very discouraging to get news such as this. Thank you so much.
Thanks for posting this Kerrie. My first choice for abortives is triptans but if they fail, sometimes I liked to use Midrin. I’ll ask my neuro about it.