Excedrin is a brand-name drug currently marketed by the pharmaceutical company, Novartis. A long-time household staple for the relief of pain and fever, it was introduced into the market in 1960, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine." Excedrin includes many different over-the-counter varieties which largely all contain the active ingredients acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine, though in different dosages, according to Drugs.com. The Excedrin website notes that its products are typically formulated as blue/green or white tablets or caplets. In addition to the active ingredients, Excedrin products contain very similar inactive ingredients.
Binders and Fillers
According to DailyMed, Excedrin products can contain up to six inactive ingredients that can generally be called binders or fillers. These include microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, propylene glycol, pregelatinized starch and gelatin. Binding agents keep all the ingredients together and ensure that tablets can be formed under the pressures of the compounding process. The cellulose compounds also act as fillers, which make the tablets bigger, increasing practicality for manufacturing and convenience for the consumer with handling, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine." Generally, fillers are inactive, water-soluble, relatively cheap, colorless and tasteless.
Disintegrants
The pre-gelatinized starch found in all Excedrin products also acts as a disintegrant, which according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine," expands and dissolves when wet causing the tablet to disintegrate in the lower intestines and release the active ingredients for absorption. Pepsin is also present in some Excedrin products; it is a digestive protease which, when activated by stomach acids, functions to disintegrate the tablet and break down protein.
Lubricants
Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are other inactive ingredients found in Excedrin products, and both act as lubricants and stabilizers in the compounding process of manufacturing. Magnesium stearate combines with other ingredients to help mix everything evenly, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine." Generally, lubricants assist with the flow of ingredients through production and help prevent them from sticking to the equipment.
Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
Excedrin products may also contain sorbitan monolaurate, which acts as a stabilizer and as an emulsifying agent in tablets/capsules to help with the absorption of the active ingredients in the intestines, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine." Another ingredient is polysorbate 20, as noted by DailyMed, which is used as a detergent and emulsifier in many pharmacological applications. Simethicone emulsion and light mineral oil are other common emulsifiers found in most Excedrin products.
Preservative
A preservative found in Excedrin gel capsules is benzoic acid, which has the ability to retard mold, yeast and some bacteria, according to the "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine."
Colorings and Coatings
Most Excedrin products are either white or some variety of blue/green. Thus, according to Excedrin’s website, the following dyes can be found in certain Excedrin products: FD&C blue No. 1, FD&C red No. 27, No. 28 and No. 40, FD&C yellow No. 10 and FD&C green No. 3. Titanium dioxide is another ingredient used in most tablets because of its ability to provide brightness, shine and opacity. Gelatin and carnauba wax are also found in tablet/capsule coverings, which can aid with swallowing and provide additional shine.
References
- “Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine”; G. Nahler et al; 2009
- Drugs.com: Excedrin
- Excedrin.com: Extra Strength Excedrin
- DailyMed: Excedrin Ingredients
- “Mosby’s Drug Consult”; C.V. Mosby; 2004
