Excedrin is a medication available over the counter to treat various types of pain. Manufactured by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the medication helps temporarily relieve pain associated with migraines, sinus congestion and menstrual pain. Excedrin products contain a combination of three active ingredients. Before using this product for relieving pain, individuals with chronic medical conditions such as bleeding disorders need to confirm the safety of the ingredients.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs temporarily relive minor pains and help to reduce a fever. The medication works by acting on a chemical in the brain that stimulates pain and helps regulate the hypothalamus, which is the area of the brain that controls body temperature. Acetaminophen may cause serious side effects such as liver damage. Damage to the liver occurs most often when an overdose occurs or with individuals with poor liver function. Liver failure causes a yellowing of the skin called jaundice, as well as pain in the right upper abdomen.
Aspirin
Aspirin belongs to a class of medications called salicylates. Salicylates help reduce inflammation, fevers and pain in the body, according to Drugs.com. Aspirin also thins the blood in the body and helps to treat conditions that increase the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. Taking the medication increases the risk of bleeding. Individuals with a risk of bleeding, such as ulcers in the stomach, need to avoid taking Excedrin. Aspirin may cause a serious and possibly fatal condition in children called Reye's syndrome, especially when given to children as they recover from a viral infection. Avoid using other medications containing aspirin while taking Excedrin products.
Caffeine
Each Excedrin tablet contains 65mg of caffeine. Caffeine works to restore alertness and stimulates the central nervous system and the brain, according to Drugs.com. Foods and beverages such as coffee, tea and chocolate also contain amounts of caffeine. The caffeine content in a dose of Excedrin is roughly equal to a cup of brewed coffee. In addition to stimulating the nervous system, caffeine relaxes blood vessels in the body and allows more blood flow to reach an injury for faster healing. In the brain, caffeine constricts blood vessels and helps treat painful migraine headaches caused by a dilation of the vessels. The caffeine may also enhance the pain relieving effects of the acetaminophen. Side effects of caffeine include nausea, dizziness and irritability. Caffeine can cause an inability to sleep due to the stimulation of the brain so individuals may want to avoid taking Excedrin close to bedtime.
Inactive Ingredients
In addition to the active ingredients in Excedrin, some other products help bind the medication together, adds color, helps disguise taste and allow the medication to dissolve properly in the body. The inactive ingredients include benzoic acid, carnauba wax, light mineral oil, cellulose, polysorbate 20, providone, FD&C Blue No. 1 and polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, sorbitan monolaurate, steric acid and titanium dioxide.
