Excedrin is a drug that is designed to combat headaches, dental pain, muscle pain and menstrual pain.
This drug is manufactured by the Swiss company Novartis Consumer Health S.A.
It is based on : acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine, which are the main active ingredients and cope well with all symptoms.
The drug Excedrin is produced in the form of tablets with a certain concentration of active drugs in them.
Next, let's take a closer look at the information about this drug.
Pharmacological characteristics
The drug, due to the paracetamol included in its composition, has an effect on the hypothalamus in relation to thermoregulation processes.
This causes an antipyretic effect and analgesic effect. The synthesis of special substances prostaglandins in peripheral tissues is somewhat reduced, resulting in an anti-inflammatory effect. Caffeine has a special responsibility. It is thanks to it that the respiratory and vasomotor centers are excited, and the blood vessels of the muscles, especially skeletal muscles, and the brain dilate. Vitality increases, the feeling of fatigue goes away and efficiency appears.
Thus, when taking the drug, a migraine attack is relieved and inflammatory processes are slightly reduced.
How to treat this disease
Migraine is characterized by recurring headaches. They are most often localized on one side, in the frontal or temporal region. The pain can be of moderate intensity or very severe. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds. Blood pressure may increase or decrease, weakness, dizziness or apathy may develop.
Each person has individual symptoms, and different remedies help with them. And only in accordance with the clinical picture of the disease can medications be prescribed for migraine. For some, a regular painkiller is enough to relieve an attack. Effectively relieves pain, for example, Excedrin.
The instructions for it include use for migraines. But if a person suffers from frequent attacks, the pain continues for several days, and conventional remedies do not help, then specific treatment is needed aimed at relieving cerebral vascular spasm, preventing nausea and improving blood circulation. It is also necessary to treat chronic diseases that may cause migraines.
There is no clear answer to the question of how to relieve a migraine attack. It depends on the patient’s health, the intensity of the pain and accompanying symptoms. But it is usually recommended to take the pills immediately when the first signs of an attack are detected. For some, this may be the appearance of “floaters” before the eyes, nausea or weakness.
Most often, an attack develops gradually, and it is easiest to relieve pain in the first two hours. Special migraine tablets are best suited for these purposes. The list of such drugs is quite impressive, because an individual approach is very important when choosing them. Doctors usually recommend taking analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or combination painkillers in this case. One of them is Excedrin. This migraine medicine is new, but has already proven itself to be very effective.
- acupressure;
- relaxing baths with sea salt or sage, as well as distracting mustard hand baths;
- aromatherapy - inhaling the smells of essential oils or camphor alcohol;
- regular intake of special herbal mixtures, which include mint, hawthorn, valerian, sage and other plants;
- cold compresses on the entire head or applying onion or cabbage gruel to the forehead help well.
The migraine medicine Excedrin helps stop attacks at their very beginning. Its high effectiveness is explained by the complex composition of the drug. What effect do its components have?
1. Paracetamol can influence the brain center responsible for increasing body temperature. But much more important for the treatment of migraines is its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
2. Aspirin also has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it is a well-known pain reliever. Aspirin can also have a positive effect on blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Caffeine is essential in the treatment of migraines, as it activates the respiratory center, helps cope with drowsiness and fatigue, and increases the overall performance of the body. And in combination with acetylsalicylic acid, it improves blood circulation in the brain.
Why do many people choose Excedrin?
Most of those who suffer from regular attacks of this disease do not see a doctor. They try different migraine pills on their own. The price of the drug in many cases plays a decisive role. And oddly enough, often inexpensive tablets are the most effective. For example, the Swiss medicine Excedrin has recently become very popular.
Its price is affordable for everyone, because in most pharmacies it costs just over a hundred rubles. And many patients note the effectiveness of these tablets for migraines, rapid improvement and good tolerability. Many are attracted by the composition of the drug, the active ingredients of which are simple and known to everyone for a long time.
Most people suffering from headaches took both Aspirin and Paracetamol. And the secret of Excedrin’s effectiveness is its complex effect on the body. But don't buy it just because it helped your friends. It is better to consult a doctor, as this drug has contraindications and side effects.
This drug not only quickly relieves a headache that has already begun, but is also able to prevent an attack if you take the pill after noticing its first signs. Why is Excedrin so effective? The instructions for use explain this by its complex composition. Everyone knows paracetamol, aspirin, and caffeine.
All three of these substances in the drug are effective on their own. And together with each other they have a beneficial effect on the entire body. They not only reduce headaches, but also relieve vasospasm, improve blood circulation in the brain and prevent the formation of blood clots, which is so important for migraines.
Briefly about the composition
So, Excedrin migraine tablets include the following components:
- paracetamol;
- acetylsalicylic acid (better known as aspirin);
- caffeine.
Additional substances are cellulose and its derivatives, which are used as an astringent base for the drug, but do not provide any therapeutic effect. It is an analogue of another drug – Askofen.
All three main components are analgesics in one way or another. Paracetamol relieves pain and also helps normalize body temperature. Acetylsalicylic acid gives an analgesic effect, and at the same time thins the blood, reduces the physiological effect on the blood vessels of the brain. Caffeine has a stimulating effect and increases the excitability of the spinal cord.
In total, the drug really helps against severe headaches, but is not a cure for migraines. Its purpose is symptomatic treatment, weakening and alleviation of symptoms of migraine status.
This is a combination drug based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - analgesics (painkillers). It contains not one painkiller, but two at once: paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). An additional component - caffeine - enhances the analgesic effect by narrowing the dilated blood vessels during migraine.
The “secret” of Excedrin’s action is that the doctor begins the treatment of mild and moderate attacks of pain in one part of the head with NSAIDs - ibuprofen, paracetamol, as well as combination drugs. Attacks are effectively stopped with such therapy. Only if painkillers are ineffective, the doctor prescribes stronger drugs - triptans, ergotamine.
Release form and composition
The dosage form of Excedrin is film-coated tablets: oblong, white, with the letter “E” engraved on one side; on the cross section - the core is almost white or white (2 pcs in a multilayer aluminum foil bag, 1 bag in a cardboard box; 10 pcs in a blister, 1, 2 or 3 blisters in a cardboard box; 24 or 50 pcs in a polypropylene bottle ., 1 bottle in a cardboard box).
Composition of one tablet:
- active ingredients: paracetamol – 250 mg, acetylsalicylic acid – 250 mg, caffeine – 65 mg;
- auxiliary components (core): hyprolose, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid;
- Shell: carnauba wax, white film material (titanium dioxide, hypromellose, propylene glycol, sorbitan laurate, povidone, polysorbate 20, mineral oil, benzoic acid, blue brilliant dye, simethicone emulsion).
The effect of the drug on the body
The mechanism of operation of the drug can be described as follows: when exposed to the source of pain, spasms are relieved, inflammatory processes are blocked, blood circulation in the affected area is improved, and the likelihood of blood clots is reduced.
Under the influence of the drug, the body’s work is activated, and it becomes easier to fight fatigue and drowsiness.
How to use Excedrin:
- Excedrin should be taken orally, with food or some time after it. The dose of the drug should be determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition.
- For headaches, after taking a couple of tablets orally, you can see the result in about a quarter of an hour. If you take migraine medication, it will take effect within half an hour. If you have severe pain, it is not recommended to take the medicine for more than five days without first consulting with your supervising doctor. If you have a migraine, you should not use the drug for more than three days.
Drug interactions
The use of Excedrin simultaneously with certain medications can lead to the development of the following effects:
- heparin, indirect coagulants, reserpine, steroid hormones and hypoglycemic drugs: enhancing their effect;
- methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: increased risk of side effects;
- furosemide, spironolactone, antihypertensive drugs, anti-gout drugs that promote the excretion of uric acid: a decrease in their effectiveness;
- rifampicin, barbiturates, salicylamide, antiepileptic drugs and other inducers of microsomal liver enzymes: increased formation of toxic paracetamol metabolites that affect the functioning of the liver;
- metoclopramide: acceleration of paracetamol absorption;
- chloramphenicol: increase its T1/2 by five times;
- anticoagulants (coumarin derivatives): their effect is enhanced by repeated use of paracetamol;
- ergotamine: acceleration of its absorption;
- alcoholic drinks: increased risk of hepatotoxic effects.
Migraine tablets
1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most effective of them are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Codeine, Analgin, Paracetomol and others.
2. Combined painkillers. It is best to choose ones that contain caffeine, which has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body and relieves nausea. These are, for example, the effective migraine remedy Excedrin, the drugs Pentalgin or Citramon.
3. There are also specific medications for the treatment of severe migraines. These are drugs from the triptan or ergotamine group. They not only relieve headaches, but also relieve nausea, photophobia and other associated symptoms. These are “Sumamigren”, “Relpax”, “Imigran”, “Zomig”, “Ergomar” and others.
4. In addition, treatment may be aimed at preventing the occurrence of new attacks. To do this, use regular intake of antihistamines, antidepressants or antihypertensive drugs. They are prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the specifics of the disease and the patient’s health condition.
Contraindications
Absolute:
- erosive and ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- severe course of coronary heart disease;
- severe arterial hypertension;
- portal hypertension;
- renal dysfunction;
- complete or incomplete combination of bronchial asthma, recurrent nasal polyposis and/or paranasal sinuses and intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including a history);
- hemophilia;
- hypoprothrombinemia;
- simultaneous use of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol;
- vitamin deficiency K;
- glaucoma;
- deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- sleep disturbances, increased excitability;
- age up to 15 years;
- pregnancy and lactation period;
- increased individual sensitivity to any component of Excedrin.
It is not recommended to use the drug during surgical procedures accompanied by bleeding.
Caution is required when using Excedrin for indications in patients with gout, arthritis, liver disease, headaches associated with head injuries, as well as while taking hypoglycemic agents, anticoagulants, drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid or other antipyretic and analgesic components.
Rules for taking such drugs
1. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or take pills on the recommendation of friends, a pharmacist, or advertising.
2. Most migraine medications can be addictive, so you should strictly adhere to the dose and number of doses of the drug. After all, if you take them more often than recommended by your doctor, migraine attacks may become more frequent.
3. There is no ideal remedy that will relieve a patient of migraine forever. The drug is considered effective if within two hours the patient’s condition improves and the pain does not return.
4. All migraine pills are most effective if taken in the first two hours of an attack. Then stronger remedies may be required.
5. It is recommended to take an antiemetic medication along with the painkiller so that the pills have a better effect. In this regard, Excedrin, which contains caffeine, is a very good migraine remedy.
6. It should be remembered that such drugs cannot be taken more than 10-15 times a month. If this is not enough for you, you should consult your doctor so that he can prescribe more effective treatment.
General provisions
If the attack occurs unexpectedly and the pain is severe, you need to relieve the pain effect. Doctors believe that most often such attacks occur due to vascular spasm. Such spasms can sharply lower or increase blood pressure.
Medicine has established that it is impossible to cure migraines. You can prevent or relieve pain during an attack. There are many medications and folk remedies for this.
A migraine attack itself consists of a feeling of headache. But it may indicate serious diseases of the brain, central nervous system, and blood vessels of the head. Therefore, migraine attacks need to be given special attention.
To carry out preventive measures, it is necessary to relieve the headache immediately, rather than endure it. Excedrin can help you with this. Relieve the pain and take the first steps towards solving a larger problem. Eliminating the causes of migraine attacks.
There are several types of migraine. There are many ways to prevent migraine attacks. But there are cases in which medications are simply necessary. There are a lot of them in modern pharmacology.
Having studied this area of pharmaceutics and observed patient reviews, we will tell you about one of these drugs.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The migraine medicine Excedrin enters the plasma through the gastrointestinal tract (dissolves in gastric juice) within 15 minutes after taking the tablet. The drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted from the body through the kidneys.
The peak concentration of active components in the blood occurs 45–60 minutes after administration. Frequent use of Excedrin to relieve migraine symptoms is not addictive.
How does the drug affect the body? First of all, the blood vessels of the brain dilate slightly, the blood becomes thinner, which slightly reduces blood pressure. Aspirin gives a combined effect - it slightly reduces the pain symptom, and at the same time it optimizes blood microcirculation in the brain. And caffeine stimulates the vasomotor centers.
Simply put, the valves begin to function more actively, thereby reducing the internal pressure in the vessels. As a result, the pain is significantly reduced, the vascular response is reduced.
Side effects
During treatment with Excedrin, such adverse reactions as nausea, vomiting, gastralgia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, tachycardia, bronchospasm, increased blood pressure, and allergic reactions are possible.
With long-term use of the drug, the following reactions may develop: headache, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, hypocoagulation, decreased platelet aggregation, hemorrhagic syndrome (bleeding gums, nosebleeds, purpura and others), deafness, kidney damage with papillary necrosis, syndrome Stevens-Johnson (malignant exudative erythema), Lyell's syndrome (toxic epidermal necrolysis), Reye's syndrome in children (vomiting, metabolic acidosis, hyperpyrexia, decreased liver function, mental and nervous system disorders).
Migraine remedy - Excedrin
- glaucoma;
Excedrin for migraines is taken immediately when symptoms of a headache attack occur. The sooner, the better. The maximum permissible dose at one time is 2 tablets (400 mg paracetamol, 400 mg aspirin, 100 mg caffeine). It is not recommended to take more than 3-4 tablets per day, as this can negatively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
After taking Excedrin, you should temporarily avoid eating, as a migraine can trigger an attack of nausea. If vomiting cannot be avoided, you should then take the pill again.
Pathologies for which the drug is used
It is advisable to use Excedrin tablets for pain syndromes of mild to moderate intensity of various origins:
- migraine;
- headache;
- neuralgia;
- toothache;
- myalgia, arthralgia (discomfort in joints and muscles);
- algodismenorrhea (pain during menstruation);
- febrile syndrome.
Instructions for use
"Excedrin" is intended to relieve pain of various origins. In addition to migraines, it helps with tooth and muscle pain, neuralgia, myositis, and premenstrual syndrome. It is also effective against influenza and acute respiratory infections. Use the drug after meals, 1-2 tablets, with a full glass of water. Sometimes you may need to take Excedrin again after 4-6 hours.
Typically, the migraine remedy Excedrin begins to act quickly, and within an hour the patient’s condition improves. But in cases where the use of the drug is required for more than three days, it is better to consult a doctor.
This drug is used against migraines, headaches, toothaches, muscle spasms, and menstrual pain.
Contraindications
Like any pharmacological agent, Excedrin has a number of contraindications:
- susceptibility to any of the components included in the product;
- gastrointestinal lesions: erosions and ulcers in the acute stage;
- bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
- asthma;
- operations accompanied by bleeding;
- arterial hypertension;
- hemophilia;
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- hypoprothrombinemia;
- renal failure;
- glaucoma;
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
More details about the indications and contraindications of Excedrin can be found in the instructions for this drug.
After the first signs of migraine appear, the recommended dose to take is 2 tablets of Excedrin.
The drug should be drunk during or immediately after meals, since a significant dose of NSAIDs contained in it can damage the gastrointestinal mucosa.
It is advisable not to take more than 3-4 tablets per day. The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets.
The product should not be taken by children under 15 years of age.
Overdose and additional instructions
In cases of overdose of the drug Excedrin, different symptoms appear, and they are caused by the presence of different drugs in it.
In the presence of paracetamol, the following symptoms appear.
After the first 24 hours:
- pale skin;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- problems with glucose metabolism.
Problems with normal kidney function occur 24 hours after an overdose.
If the degree of overdose is too great, it can lead to arrhythmia, severe renal failure, coma and death.
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If the dose of acetylsalicylic acid was exaggerated, then the following are observed:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- vision problems.
With a strong increase in dose - suffocation, respiratory paralysis, etc. In cases where the poisoning is moderate or severe, the person must be hospitalized immediately.
With an overdose of caffeine, the following are observed:
- excitation;
- sense of anxiety;
- arrhythmia;
- tachycardia;
- nausea and vomiting.
In cases of severe overdose, epileptic seizures are possible.
Side effect
The drug Excedrin has a fairly large list of side effects:
- nausea, vomiting;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
- increase in blood pressure.
In case of long-term use of the drug, the following are observed:
- headaches, dizziness;
- vision problems;
- decreased platelet binding ability;
- nose bleed;
- Reye's syndrome is observed in children.
special instructions
It is not recommended to prescribe medications that contain acetyl-salicylic acid to children because in cases where a viral infection develops, there is a huge risk of Reye's syndrome.
It is characterized by vomiting, which may continue for some time, and an enlarged liver.
In cases where the drug is taken for a long period of time, the liver should be under close medical supervision.
The drug is characterized by slowing down blood clotting . Thus, if a person who has taken this drug plans to undergo surgery, they should definitely notify their doctor about this.
In small doses, acytylsalicylic acid reduces the excretion of uric acid.
Interaction with other drugs.
Parallel use of Excedrin with other drugs leads to various side effects. Also, as a result of this, toxins can be formed that will lead to problems with the normal functioning of the liver.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Excedrin should not be taken by women during pregnancy. Otherwise, serious health problems may arise for the unborn child.
During breastfeeding, taking this drug is also prohibited, because it has the ability to be excreted along with milk, thus entering the child’s body. This can lead to bleeding in the child's body.
Admission in childhood
Children are not recommended to prescribe or take this drug due to the possibility of developing Reye's syndrome.
Analogues of the drug
There are quite a lot of analogues of Excedrin in pharmacies. But it should be borne in mind that some of them differ in the concentration of active substances. The most common among them:
- Migrenol and Migrenol Extra;
- Novalgin;
- Saridon;
- Askofen;
- Gevadal.
It is not prohibited to replace Excedrin with regular Paracetamol, Aspirin and Kofalgin, observing the concentration of the components (200:200:50). In this regard, it is better to consult with your doctor and follow his instructions.
Consumer Opinion
Any drug has (the drug Excedrin is no exception) reviews, both positive and negative.
Some consumers openly say that after trying the medicine once, they never part with it. Many women carry an effective product in their purse. After all, you never know when a painful attack will overtake you. Such patients notice that one tablet can relieve an unpleasant syndrome within an hour. And in case of severe migraines, 2 pills of Excedrin relieve pain. Reviews indicate the excellent effectiveness of this product.
Other consumers have a different point of view, declaring the uselessness of the drug. They claim that the active ingredients of the medicine can be purchased separately at a pharmacy for much less. However, such consumers forget that the drug received its effectiveness as a result of the correct combination of all components that perfectly complement each other.
Special marks
What rules must be followed by those who decide to take Excedrin?
— the instructions are the first thing you need to study before taking the pills;
- Do not give the drug to children under any circumstances; there are safer and less toxic medications for them;
— it is worth remembering that Excedrin interferes with blood clotting and can cause bleeding;
- You need to carefully monitor what medications are taken together with these tablets. Under no circumstances should you take medications containing paracetamol or aspirin together with Excedrin, so as not to cause an overdose;
- this drug may enhance or weaken the effect of certain medications, and taking it together with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases the likelihood of side effects;
- if you have taken Excedrin, you should not drink alcoholic beverages, as in this case toxic damage to the liver is possible;
— the drug should be used with caution in patients with gout, since aspirin slows down the excretion of uric acid and weakens the effect of anti-gout medications and diuretics.
At the time of using the drug, you should completely avoid drinks containing high concentrations of caffeine (coffee and all its derivatives such as latte, cappuccino). Also during this period you should avoid taking nicotine and alcoholic beverages, as this will create an increased load on the liver and cardiovascular system.
With long-term use of Excedrin to eliminate migraine pain, you should periodically take a general blood test to monitor its peripheral composition. Taking liver function tests is also a good idea. As a rule, when the quality of the plasma composition deteriorates, doctors temporarily prescribe Zolmigren, Nomigren, Amigren.
In total, Exderin really eliminates even severe migraine headaches, however, it gives only a temporary effect and in no way eliminates the main problem of the disease - the pathological reaction of the brain vessels. Therefore, it should be used only in emergency cases. The numerous side effects from the use of this drug should not be overlooked.
Particular attention should be paid to cases when no positive effect is observed after taking the drugs. In this case, you should adjust your diet and reduce the consumption of caffeine-containing foods and drinks to a minimum.
If a person is planning to undergo surgery in the near future, Excedrin should be discontinued, since acetylsalicylic acid, which is part of it, thins the blood.
In addition, in the “food basket” you should review the amount of products that have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, causing liver damage and gastrointestinal bleeding. Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking should also be avoided.
Long-term use of the drug requires laboratory monitoring of peripheral blood composition and liver function tests.
Based on reviews from patients who took the drug and who assessed that the migraine medicine Excedrin is quite affordable, it can be judged that it is also effective for the following pain syndromes:
- toothache;
- neuralgia;
- arthralgia;
- muscle pain;
- painful menstruation.
Pros and cons of the drug
Here are some things to consider when taking Excedrin :
- rapid relief of pain;
- the ability of the drug to fight migraines;
- not all patients can benefit from the drug in eliminating severe migraine headaches;
- The big disadvantage is the huge list of contraindications and side effects, which do not in all cases end positively and in some cases an overdose can lead to coma and even death.
