Get Informed: Excedrin
Active Ingredient(s)
Acetaminophen with Aspirin / Caffeine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of headaches. It contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 3:01 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Excedrin
- Acetaminophen with Aspirin / Caffeine
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- N/A
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 14 Jan 1998
- Est US Patients*
- 885,600
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Excedrin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Excedrin
Excedrin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Excedrin interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Excedrin used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 5,100 patients that use Excedrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Migraine / Headache | 92% | 
|
| Pain | 3% | 
|
| Irregular / Painful Periods | 3% |
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 3% | 
|
| Insomnia | 3% |
|
| Pain-Musculoskeletal | 3% |
|
How well does Excedrin work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 5,100 users taking Excedrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 92%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Excedrin outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Excedrin.
Common Side Effects of Excedrin
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 5,100 users taking Excedrin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
26% of patients experience side-effects on Excedrin
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Excedrin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Restlessness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Breathlessness, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Numbness/Tingling, Rebound Headache, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Excedrin (Acetaminophen with Aspirin / Caffeine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Even though I have been prescribe Imitrix, it makes me sleepy. I also take daily Topamax to prevent migraines from coming on. So when I get a migraine/headache during the day, I take Excedrine Migraine. Within 15-20 minutes, the headache starts to subside and it is gone within the hour. I have acid reflux but have seen a change since I have been using the CPAP machine for Sleep Apnea. I hardly ever take my Prevacid. On top of that I also take a daily aspirin. So far, so problem with my stomach. I can vouch for Excedrine and everyone must see if there are any other underlying problems they may have that may cause the stomach upsets. By the way, the aspirin I buy are coated and Excedrine is caplets.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-24 10:20:28
Question/Comment:
I have had problems with frequent headaches since I was 8 years old. The frequency has dropped off from 3 to 4 times a week down to a more common once every couple of weeks, but I also have some periods where I might get one a few times in a week. I have tried several different pain relievers, but excedrin is the ONLY medication that works anymore. I used to take tylenol or ibuprofin but neither of those work any longer. My problem is that about a year and a half ago I developed ulcers. I took Prilosec for awhile and the ulcers seem to be healed, but now I am worried about taking excedrin again for fear that it could cause or help cause my ulcers to return. Is it likely that Excedrin would cause my ulcers to return, or is there some alternative that would help me?
31 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-23 11:31:04
Answer/Reply:
I am in the same boat as you. I talked to my family, which they are Nurses and Doctors. They told me that what is in Excedrine is Tylenol, Asprin, and Caffine. The Asprin will cause a flare up with your ulcers. But thank the lord above that Excedrine also makes Excedrine Tension headach wich has no asprin. And the great thing is, is that it works the same. So try it.It works great.
30 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-05 15:47:33
Question/Comment:
I always use aspirin free Excederin. Will it still affect my acid reflux?
67 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-29 13:31:35
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Yes Caffine is one of your acid refluxes most worst enemies.
Posted: 2009-03-05 15:49:13
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Yes Caffine is one of the worst things you can take with acid reflux.
Posted: 2009-03-05 15:50:51
Question/Comment:
Hello, my mom has been taking this since she was 15, and it does not help her migraines. She gets headaches, and migraines everyday. What else could she use?
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-20 01:25:32
Answer/Reply:
If Excedrin, or the generic equivilent, is not helpful for migraine pain, you may want to discuss other options with you doctor. There are many options, such as Midrin, Imitrex, or other prescription strength pain relievers.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-21 07:53:23
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Why would she take it since she was 15...if it doesn't work?
Posted: 2009-02-08 03:54:52
Question/Comment:
take as directed only! do not exceed the recommended dosage.
41 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
Check Your Medications...
Do you want iGuard to check your medications for interactions, side-effects, safety alerts and recalls? Enter your current medications below, or cancel.
35
Patient Comments about
Excedrin