What do Excedrin products treat?
Excedrin products are used to treat aches and pains, including different types of headaches, such as tension headaches and migraine attacks.
Excedrin products use a mix of active ingredients to help with pain.
- Acetaminophen helps relieve pain, possibly by blocking pain signals in your body.
- Aspirin is a type of medicine called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It helps relieve pain and swelling, like what you get with headaches or body aches, by blocking specific proteins that cause swelling.
What are the possible side effects of Excedrin products?
Because Excedrin products contain different active ingredients, their side effects can vary. Some common side effects may include the following.
- Stomach problems
- Rash
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Drowsiness or dizziness (especially with products containing diphenhydramine, such as Excedrin PM Headache)
Stop taking the product and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects.
- Blood in your vomit
- Black or tarry poop
- Stomach pain that doesn't go away
- Feeling faint
- Pain that gets worse, lasts more than 10 days, or if you have new symptoms like redness or swelling
- Ringing in your ears or trouble hearing
Stop using the medicine if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
What should I know before using Excedrin products?
Aspirin Risk. If a product has aspirin, it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and Reye’s syndrome (in children and teenagers). Talk to a health care provider before taking a product with aspirin if you have stomach problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver or kidney problems, asthma, or if you take blood thinners or other NSAIDs. Also, check with them if you drink three or more alcoholic drinks per day or if you are aged 60 or older.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Risk. All Excedrin products have acetaminophen. It’s also in many other over-the-counter cold and pain medicines. Taking too much acetaminophen can hurt your liver. Never take more than the recommended dose, and talk to your health care provider if you aren’t sure which medicines contain acetaminophen.
Caffeine. Taking other caffeine-containing medicines or drinking coffee while using Excedrin with caffeine can cause nervousness, a fast heartbeat, and irritability.
Excedrin PM Headache (With Diphenhydramine). This product can cause drowsiness. Don’t drive or do things that need you to be alert until you know how it affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Excedrin PM Headache, as it can increase drowsiness. Talk to your health care provider before taking this product if you have glaucoma, a breathing problem (like chronic bronchitis), or trouble peeing due to an enlarged prostate.
Medication Overuse Headache. Taking Excedrin Migraine Relief too often (like 10 or more days a month) can actually lead to a medication overuse headache.
Always check the label and do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to make sure any Excedrin product is safe for you.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Excedrin product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.
What Excedrin product is right for me?
Excedrin has products for adults as well as children as young as 12 years old. The product you choose depends on the type of pain you have and whether you need help sleeping.
Symptom | Recommended Products |
|---|---|
Migraine | Excedrin Migraine Relief
|
Minor aches and pains from a headache or muscle ache | Excedrin Tension Headache
|
Minor aches and pains from headaches, cold, arthritis, muscle aches, toothache, or cramps | Excedrin Extra Strength Headache
|
Minor aches, pains, or headaches with trouble sleeping | Excedrin PM Headache
|