Aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine

Aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine

Combination of
Aspirin	NSAID
Paracetamol	Analgesic
Caffeine	Stimulant
Clinical data
Trade names	Excedrin
AHFS/Drugs.com	entry
Legal status	US: OTC
Routes of administration	Oral
Identifiers
ATC code	N02BA51 (WHO)

Aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine is a combination drug for the treatment of pain, especially tension headache and migraine. It is sold in the US under the trade name Excedrin, although not all products sold under this name contain this combination.

Adverse effects

The recommended dosing has a low risk profile when taken occasionally in a well hydrated state. As with all medications containing paracetamol (acetaminophen), concomitant use with alcohol carries a significant risk of hepatotoxicity. The combination of paracetamol with aspirin also creates the risk of renal papillary necrosis if large doses are taken chronically. This is because paracetamol yields a toxic metabolite that can accumulate in the kidney while aspirin works to deplete the glutathione stores necessary to oxidize it. Additionally, chronic aspirin usage is associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Chemical detection

The combination of these three compounds can be detected in pharmaceutical formulations, urine and blood serum in trace quantities using electrochemical methods.

Other trade names

In Germany, this combination is sold as Chephapyrin, dolomo, Dolopyrin, HA-Tabletten N, Melabon, Neuralgin, Novo Petrin, ratiopyrin, Thomapyrin CLASSIC, Thomapyrin INTENSIV, TITRALGAN, in Austria as Thomapyrin, InfluASS, Irocophan, in Israel as Acamol Focus and in Russia as Citramon.