According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, use of pain killers is very high in the U.S. Approximately 147 million adults take analgesics on a monthly basis and, of these, 30 percent take more than one analgesic. As approximately 76 percent of the pain medications are purchased over-the-counter, caution should be used because they can cause significant side effects. Some pain medications include caffeine, which increases the chance for side effects from these medications.
Acetaminophen Caffeine
Combination products with acetaminophen and caffeine are effective options for treating pain. In fact, a study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" demonstrated that caffeine increased and extended the painkilling effects of acetaminophen. However, these combination products may cause important side effects such as stomach problems, decreased appetite, liver problems, sleep problems and anxiety. Examples of this combination include the brand-name over-the-counter medications Excedrin Quick Tab, Excedrin Tension Headache and Valorin Extra.
Aspirin Caffeine
Aspirin and caffeine are combined in various pain relief products. Aspirin works by interfering with various processes in the body that cause pain and swelling; caffeine acts as a stimulant that increases the effect of aspirin. Side effects include bleeding problems, anxiety, restlessness and Reye's syndrome, which is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by swelling of the liver and brain. Examples of painkillers that contain aspirin and caffeine include the brand-name over-the-counter drugs Anacin and P-A-C.
Acetaminophen Aspirin Caffeine
Acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine work together to block bodily processes that cause pain and inflammation, says Drugs.com. These combination products should be taken with caution in the presence of preexisting health conditions, such as bleeding problems, heart problems, vitamin K deficiency, and nervousness, among others, because these conditions can be worsened, advises Drugs.com. Brand-name, over-the-counter product examples include Excedrin and Vanquish.
Ergotamine Caffeine
Ergotamine and caffeine are available by prescription as a combination product to treat migraine headache. Both ergotamine and caffeine work by tightening swollen blood vessels in the head that cause pain. Potential side effects include numbness in the hands or feet, muscle aches, leg pain or weakness, chest pain, and changes in heart rate. The brand-name prescription drug Cafergot is an example of this combination.
Other Combinations
Other combinations with caffeine include the muscle relaxant orphenadrine combined with aspirin and caffeine and available as the brand name prescription drug Norgesic, used to treat muscle injuries.
Narcotic analgesic combinations include butalbital, aspirin and caffeine, which is used for treating headache and available as the brand name prescription product Fiorinal. Acetaminophen, caffeine and dihydrocodeine combinations are available as the brand-name prescription products Trezix and Panlor SS. Caution should be taken as narcotic analgesics can be habit-forming.
References
- "Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf"; Prescription and Non-prescription Analgesic Use among the US Adult Population: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III); R. Paulose-Ram et al.; June 2003
- "J Clin Pharmacol"; Caffeine Accelerates Absorption and Enhances the Analgesic Effect of Acetaminophen; Bertold Renner et al.; June 2007
- Drugs.com: Acetaminophen and Caffeine
- Drugs.com: Aspirin and Caffeine
- MayoClinic.com: Reye's Syndrome
- Drugs.com: Acetaminophen, Aspirin and Caffeine
