What are Migraleve Yellow Tablets?
Migraleve Yellow Tablets are a pharmacy-only medicine used to treat the continuing pain of migraines after the initial symptoms have been managed with Migraleve Pink. Each tablet contains two active ingredients: paracetamol (500mg) and codeine phosphate (8mg). These work together to provide ongoing relief from migraine headaches when the initial dose of Migraleve Pink is not enough. Ask a pharmacist before adding an NSAID such as ibuprofen. Do not take Migraleve within four hours of another painkiller.
How do they work?
Migraleve Yellow combines two pain-relieving ingredients:
- Paracetamol (500mg) - reduces pain by blocking the production of prostaglandins in the brain, which are responsible for pain and inflammation
- Codeine phosphate (8mg) - a mild opioid painkiller that acts on the central nervous system to reduce the sensation of pain and enhance the effects of paracetamol
By continuing pain relief after the effects of Migraleve Pink begin to wear off, Migraleve Yellow helps reduce the duration and severity of a migraine attack.
How to buy Migraleve Yellow tablets online
You can use our online pharmacy service to buy Migraleve Yellow 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 Yellow
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 Yellow is suitable for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over, who have already taken Migraleve Pink for migraine treatment. It is especially useful for prolonged migraine pain that doesn't resolve after the initial dose. It is not intended for routine headache relief or long-term use.
Warnings and precautions
- Do not use if you are allergic to paracetamol or codeine
- Do not take with any other medicine containing paracetamol
- Codeine may cause drowsiness - avoid driving or using machinery if affected
- Use for no longer than 3 days to avoid the risk of addiction and medication-overuse headache
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it increases the risk of drowsiness and liver damage
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 Yellow may interact with:
- Other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine - increases the risk of overdose
- Sedatives, tranquillisers, or sleeping tablets - can enhance drowsiness
- MAOIs and some antidepressants - should not be used within 14 days of these medications
- Alcohol - avoid due to increased risk of side effects
Can I take Migraleve Yellow while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, Migraleve Yellow is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Codeine can cross the placenta and is also present in breast milk. It may cause breathing problems in newborns or sedation in breastfed infants. Always speak to a healthcare professional for advice on safe migraine treatment during pregnancy.
Migraleve Yellow and addiction
The codeine in Migraleve Yellow 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 Yellow for longer than 3 days
- Your symptoms persist
- When you stop taking Migraleve Yellow 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 Yellow 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 Yellow 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 Yellow alternatives
Other alternatives to Migraleve Yellow include:
- Migraleve Complete - Contains Migraleve Pink and Yellow tablets
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Migraleve Pink and Yellow?
Migraleve Pink contains three ingredients - paracetamol, codeine, and buclizine - to treat migraine pain and nausea at the start of an attack. Migraleve Yellow is used afterwards and contains only paracetamol and codeine for ongoing pain relief.
How long can I take Migraleve yellow tablets for?
Migraleve yellow 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.
Can I take other painkillers with Migraleve Yellow?
Avoid taking other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine while using Migraleve Yellow. If further pain relief is needed, consult a pharmacist or doctor first.
What should I do if I take too many Migraleve Yellow tablets?
Seek immediate medical help, even if you feel well. Paracetamol overdose can cause serious liver damage, and codeine overdose can affect breathing and consciousness.
