What is Migraleve Complete?
Migraleve Complete is a combination migraine treatment that includes both Migraleve Pink and Migraleve Yellow tablets in a single pack. It is designed to treat migraine headache, nausea and ongoing pain with a two-step approach. The pink tablets are taken at the start of a migraine, and the yellow tablets are taken later if symptoms persist. The two tablet types address the initial headache and sickness, then continuing pain if another dose is needed.
How does it work?
Migraleve Complete targets migraine symptoms in two stages using a combination of three ingredients:
- Migraleve Pink Tablets (first dose): Contain paracetamol (500mg), codeine phosphate (8mg), and buclizine hydrochloride (6.25mg). Paracetamol and codeine relieve pain, while buclizine helps reduce nausea and vomiting.
- Migraleve Yellow Tablets (follow-up doses): Contain paracetamol (500mg) and codeine phosphate (8mg). These help control lingering migraine pain after the initial pink tablets wear off.
By combining pain relief and anti-nausea treatment, Migraleve Complete provides an initial dose for pain and sickness followed by further pain relief when needed.
How to buy Migraleve Complete tablets online
You can use our online pharmacy service to buy Migraleve Complete tablets online in the UK. We are a regulated GPhC
registered pharmacy based in the UK with free delivery and next day delivery available. As these tablets are a
'Pharmacy-only' (P) medicine a pharmacist needs to have a consultation to make sure treatment is appropriate
before you can purchase them.
Upon completion of your order, our pharmacist will then review your online
assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense your order, which will be
dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
How to take Migraleve Complete
Ages 16 and over: start with two Pink tablets. If pain continues, take two Yellow tablets four hours later, then every four hours if needed. Maximum in 24 hours: two Pink plus six Yellow tablets.
Ages 12–15: start with one Pink tablet. If needed, take one Yellow tablet four hours later, then every four hours. Maximum in 24 hours: one Pink plus three Yellow tablets.
Take only one Pink dose in any 24 hours. Do not take within four hours of another painkiller or use for more than three days. Your migraine must have been diagnosed by a doctor.
If you take more than the recommended dose, get medical help immediately, even if you feel well. Too much paracetamol can cause serious liver damage that is delayed. Take the packet and any remaining tablets with you. Call 999 for breathing difficulties, collapse or unconsciousness.
Who can take it?
Migraleve Complete is suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and over who experience migraines with both headache and nausea. It is especially useful for treating migraines that develop in stages. Not suitable for routine headaches or long-term use.
Warnings and precautions
- Do not use if allergic to paracetamol, codeine, or buclizine
- Do not take with other products containing paracetamol or codeine
- Codeine may cause drowsiness - do not drive or operate machinery if affected
- Do not use for more than 3 consecutive days - risk of addiction and medication-overuse headache
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine due to increased side effects
Do not give to children under 12, anyone known to convert codeine to morphine very rapidly, or anyone under 18 after tonsil or adenoid surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea. Codeine is not recommended for young people with breathing problems. Do not use while breastfeeding.
Drug interactions
Migraleve Complete may interact with:
- Other paracetamol-containing medicines - increases the risk of overdose
- Sleeping tablets, sedatives, and tranquilisers - may cause excessive drowsiness
- MAOIs and certain antidepressants - do not take if used within the last 14 days
- Alcohol - avoid during use
Can I take Migraleve Complete while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Migraleve contains codeine, which is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Codeine can pass into breast milk and may cause breathing difficulties in newborns. Speak to your GP or midwife about safer migraine treatments if you are pregnant or nursing.
Migraleve Complete and addiction
The codeine in Migraleve can be addictive, do not use this product for more than 3 days of continuous use. If you find yourself needing to use it for more than 3 days, contact your doctor. It is unlikely you will become addicted if you take them as instructed. If you experience any of the following you should talk to your GP:
- You feel you have to take Migraleve for longer than 3 days
- Your symptoms persist
- When you stop taking Migraleve you feel unwell, but if you start taking the medicine again you feel better
Other symptoms to discuss with a doctor include the following. They are not, on their own, proof of addiction:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Behavioural changes
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Shaking
- Itching
- Restlessness
- hallucinations
- Memory problems
- Ringing in your ears (Tinnitus)
It is unlikely you will experience the above if you take them as instructed but it is important if you experience any of the above to talk to your GP.
Urgent symptoms: stop taking the medicine and get immediate help for slow or shallow breathing, unusual severe sleepiness or confusion. Call 999 if breathing is difficult or the person cannot be woken.
Migraleve Complete and driving
One of the main side effects is drowsiness. It is now an offence to drive in England, Wales or Scotland if your ability to drive is affected by medication. Do not drive or operate any tools or machinery if this medication makes you drowsy or if you do not know how this medicine will affect you.
Migraleve Complete and other pain killers
Ask a pharmacist before adding ibuprofen. Leave at least four hours between Migraleve and another painkiller.
Be
careful of any cold & flu remedies as they may contain paracetamol and do not take paracetamol tablets with this
medicine as it already contains them. Do not take any other codeine containing products while taking this
medication.
Codeine tolerance
If you take Migraleve for a prolonged period of time, you may find you become tolerant to it and it becomes less effective at providing pain relief. You may also become dependent on the codeine if taken regularly for a long period of time. For these reasons you should keep use to as short of a period time with as few tablets taken as possible. Overuse can cause medication-overuse headaches.
Migraleve Complete alternatives
Other alternatives to Migraleve Complete include:
- Ibuprofen tablets - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help reduce pain and inflammation
- Co-codamol tablets
- Co-codamol soluble tablets
- Paramol tablets - these contain 7.46mg of dihydrocodeine instead of codeine, which some people prefer
- Solpadeine Plus capsules - these contain caffeine.
- Solpadeine Plus soluble tablets - these contain caffeine
- Solpadeine Max soluble tablets
- Solpadeine Max tablets
Sources and further information
- Migraleve Pink and Yellow patient information leaflet
- Migraleve website
- Migraine Trust website
- If you are struggling with opioid addiction, you can find support on the Addiction Helper website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Migraleve Complete and Migraleve Pink or Yellow?
Migraleve Complete is a combination pack that contains both pink and yellow tablets to cover the entire migraine episode from early symptoms like nausea and headache, through to follow-up pain relief. Migraleve Pink is taken first, and Migraleve Yellow is taken later if pain continues.
How long can I take Migraleve tablets for?
Migraleve tablets can be taken for a maximum of 3 days only. Taking them for longer than three days can lead to codeine dependence or addiction. If you find that you still need to carry on with them after 3 days you should contact your GP to discuss further options for pain management.
Is Migraleve Complete addictive?
Migraleve contains codeine, which can become habit-forming if used for more than three days. To minimise this risk, take only when necessary and follow the dosage guidance.
How many tablets can I take in a day?
Ages 12–15: no more than four tablets in 24 hours (one Pink and three Yellow). Ages 16 and over: no more than eight (two Pink and six Yellow). Take only one Pink dose, with at least four hours between doses.
