What is Excedrin?
Excedrin contains a combination of Acetaminophen (Excedrin), aspirin, and Caffeine (Excedrin). Acetaminophen (Excedrin) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Caffeine (Excedrin) is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
Excedrin is used to treat pain caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, toothaches, the common cold, or nasal congestion.
Excedrin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Excedrin indications
This medication contains a combination of Acetaminophen (Excedrin), aspirin, and Caffeine (Excedrin). Acetaminophen (Excedrin) is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Caffeine (Excedrin) is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
This medication is used to treat pain caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, toothaches, the common cold, or nasal congestion.
Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
How should I use Excedrin?
Use Excedrin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Excedrin may be taken with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of Excedrin and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Excedrin.
Uses of Excedrin in details
Use: Labeled Indications
Pain: For the temporary relief of pain caused by headache or muscle aches
Excedrin description
Each caplet contains Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 500 mg and Caffeine (Excedrin) 65 mg.
Excedrin dosage
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Tablet,
Oral:
Excedrin Tension Headache: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 500 mg and Caffeine (Excedrin) 65 mg [contains benzoic acid, brilliant blue fcf (fd&c blue #1), fd&c red #40, fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow)]
Excedrin Tension Headache: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 500 mg and Caffeine (Excedrin) 65 mg [DSC] [contains benzoic acid, fd&c blue #1 aluminum lake, fd&c red #40, fd&c yellow #10 aluminum lake]
Excedrin Tension Headache: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 500 mg and Caffeine (Excedrin) 65 mg [aspirin free; contains benzoic acid, fd&c blue #1 aluminum lake, fd&c red #40]
Excedrin Tension Headache: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 500 mg and Caffeine (Excedrin) 65 mg [DSC] [aspirin free; contains fd&c blue #2 aluminum lake, fd&c yellow #6 aluminum lake]
Dosing: Adult
Pain:
Oral: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 1 g/Caffeine (Excedrin) 130 mg every 6 hours as needed (maximum: Acetaminophen (Excedrin) 3 g/Caffeine (Excedrin) 390 mg per 24 hours)
Dosing: Geriatric
Refer to adult dosing.
Dosing: Pediatric
Pain: Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Refer to adult dosing.
Excedrin interactions
See also:
What other drugs will affect Excedrin?
Acetaminophen (Excedrin) is metabolized (eliminated by conversion to other chemicals) by the liver. Therefore drugs that increase the action of liver enzymes that metabolize Acetaminophen (Excedrin) [for example, carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid, Laniazid), rifampin (Rifamate, Rifadin, Rimactane)] reduce the levels of Acetaminophen (Excedrin) and may decrease the action of Acetaminophen (Excedrin). Doses of Acetaminophen (Excedrin) greater than the recommended doses are toxic to the liver and may result in severe liver damage. The potential for Acetaminophen (Excedrin) to harm the liver is increased when it is combined with alcohol or drugs that also harm the liver.
Cholestyramine (Questran) reduces the effect of Acetaminophen (Excedrin) by decreasing its absorption into the body from the intestine. Therefore, Acetaminophen (Excedrin) should be administered 3 to 4 hours after cholestyramine or one hour before cholestyramine.
Acetaminophen (Excedrin) doses greater than 2275 mg per day may increase the blood thinning effect of warfarin (Coumadin) by an unknown mechanism. Therefore, prolonged administration or large doses of Acetaminophen (Excedrin) should be avoided during warfarin therapy
Excedrin side effects
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What are the possible side effects of Excedrin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Excedrin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
weakness or fainting;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
redness or swelling;
low fever with nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever lasting longer than 3 days;
pain lasting longer than 10 days; or
hearing problems, ringing in your ears.
Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach, heartburn;
feeling nervous or excited; or
sleep problems (insomnia).
Excedrin contraindications
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What is the most important information I should know about Excedrin?
This medicaion should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin in this medicine can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children. You should not use this if you are allergic to Acetaminophen (Excedrin) (Tylenol), aspirin, or Caffeine (Excedrin), or if you have:
a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
liver disease;
asthma or severe allergic reaction caused by taking aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), especially "aspirin triad syndrome"; or
if you are allergic to an NSAID such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:
asthma or seasonal allergies;
fever with a stiff neck;
a stomach ulcer, heartburn, or stomach pain;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
diabetes; or
gout.
Active ingredient matches for Excedrin:
Aspirin/caffeine/paracetamol in United States.
Acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine
Caffeine/Paracetamol in Canada, Brazil.
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Tablet; Oral; Acetaminophen 325 mg; Caffeine 65 mg | |
List of Excedrin substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Etos Paracetamol/coffeïne (Netherlands) | |
| Excedrin Aspirin Free (United States) | |
| Excedrin Aspirin-Free | |
| Excedrin Capsules | |
| Excedrin Express Gels | |
| Excedrin Extra Strength | |
| Excedrin Extra Strength Geltab | |
| Excedrin Extra-Strength (Canada) | |
| Tablet; Oral; Acetaminophen 500 mg; Caffeine 65 mg | |
| Excedrin Geltab | |
| Excedrin Menstrual Complete | |
| Excedrin Menstrual Express Gels | |
| Excedrin Migraine | |
| Tablet; Oral; Acetaminophen 250 mg; Aspirin 250 mg; Caffeine 65 mg (Novartis) | |
| Excedrin Migraine Drug Facts | |
| Excedrin Migraine Geltab | |
| Excedrin Mild Headache | |
| Excedrin Quick Tab | |
| Excedrin Quick Tab Peppermint | |
| Excedrin Quick Tab Spearmint | |
| Excedrin QuickTabs (United States) | |
| Excedrin Tension Headache | |
| Tablet; Oral; Acetaminophen 500 mg; Caffeine 65 mg (Novartis) | |
| Excedrin Tension Headache Caplet | |
| Excedrin Tension Headache Express Gels | |
| Excedrin Tension Headache Geltab | |
| Extra Pain Relief | |
| Extra Power Pain Reliever (United Kingdom) | |
| Extradol (Romania) | |
| Fap-Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Fast Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Fast Plus Ibuprofen 400mg, Paracetamol325mg, TAB / 10 (Jpee Drugs) | $ 0.14 |
| Fast Plus 400+325 Tablet (Jpee Drugs) | $ 0.01 |
| Fast Plus Ibuprofen 400mg, Paracetamol325mg, TAB / 10 (Jpee Drugs) | $ 0.14 |
| Fea Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Febristak (Lithuania) | |
| Febrol Plus (Pakistan) | |
| Fenbid Fenka Pian (China) | |
| Feva Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Fevadol Extra | |
| Fibi Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Fiedol (Paraguay) | |
| Finalín Forte (Ecuador) | |
| Finalín Gripe (Ecuador) | |
| Fineural N (Germany) | |
See 660 substitutes for Excedrin | |
References
- DailyMed. "CAFFEINE; ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DailyMed. "ASPIRIN; DIPYRIDAMOLE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DailyMed. "ACETAMINOPHEN; ASPIRIN; CAFFEINE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Excedrin are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Excedrin. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported time for results
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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
