Directions for Using Excedrin

Available in a variety of different formulas, Excedrin is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. When used in its proper dose and according to package directions, it can be safe and effective to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. Because of potential side effects and interactions, however, some people should not use Excedrin or should check with a physician before taking the drug.

What Is Excedrin?

• The pain formulas of Excedrin--such as Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Tension Headache, Excedrin Menstrual Complete, and Excedrin Back and Body, to name a few--include three basic ingredients: acetaminophen, which relieves pain and reduces fever; aspirin, which reduces pain, fever, and inflammation; and caffeine, which improves blood circulation by relaxing blood vessels

  Other Excedrin formulas may contain additional ingredients. For example, Excedrin PM contains an antihistamine, which causes drowsiness, and Excedrin Sinus Headache contains a decongestant, which helps relieve sinus congestion.

Using Excedrin

• When taking Excedrin, it's important to follow either the label directions or your physician's orders precisely. Your safety depends on never taking more than the recommended dose and never taking another dose sooner than recommended. It's also important to avoid taking other medications that contain acetaminophen, aspirin, or caffeine while you are taking Excedrin--unintentional overdose may result.

  Take Excedrin with a full glass of water to help the medication dissolve more rapidly in your stomach, which enables the active ingredients to be absorbed into your bloodstream more quickly. Because the ingredients in Excedrin may cause upset stomach if taken on an empty stomach, you may want to take it with milk and/or food.

  Do not drink alcohol while taking Excedrin, and check with your physician before taking any other prescription drug, over-the-counter medication, dietary supplement, or herbal preparation while taking Excedrin.

Who Shouldn't Use Excedrin?

• You should not give Excedrin to a child or teenager who has a fever, chickenpox, or flu symptoms; aspirin, which is one of the ingredients in Excedrin, may cause a potentially fatal condition called Reye's Syndrome in children and teenagers who have a viral infection. The combination of medications in Excedrin may also be too strong for young children, so check with your physician first.

  Those over the age of 60 are also especially susceptible to the effects of aspirin and are particularly susceptible to kidney problems resulting from the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin. Check with your physician before using Excedrin if you are elderly.

  Also consult your physician before taking Excedrin if you are pregnant or breast feeding--all three active ingredients cross the barrier into breast milk--have asthma or seasonal allergies,are anemic or suffer from a bleeding disorder or have heart, kidney or liver disease. You should not take Excedrin if you are allergic to acetaminophen, aspirin, or caffeine.

  Check the package insert carefully. Stop taking Excedrin and contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the serious side effects listed there.