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Excedrin Migraine Relief

Generic name: acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine

Brand names: Anacin Advanced Headache Formula, Arthriten, Backaid IPF, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Migraine Relief, Goodys Extra Strength, Goody's Headache Powders, Pain Reliever Plus, Vanquish Headache Relief

Last updated November 2, 2026 0 views
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What is Excedrin Migraine Relief?

Acetaminophen helps relieve pain and reduce fever. Aspirin is a type of salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ATE). Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.

Excedrin Migraine Relief is a combination medicine that treats pain from tension headaches, migraine headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, toothaches, the common cold, or nasal congestion.

Do not use aspirin for heart or blood vessel conditions unless your doctor instructs you to.

Excedrin Migraine Relief may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

How should I take Excedrin Migraine Relief?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Never use more than the recommended dose. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Take with food or milk if the medicine upsets your stomach.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever lasting longer than 3 days, or any swelling or pain lasting longer than 10 days.

Overuse of migraine headache medicine (more than 10 days per month) can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Excedrin Migraine Relief.

If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, you may need to stop taking this medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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Warnings

Do not give this medicine to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, which is a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

Do not take more than the recommended dose. An acetaminophen overdose can damage your liver or cause death.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience: nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, clay-colored stools, bloody or tarry stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Before taking this medicine

Do not give this medicine to a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, caffeine, or any NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, meloxicam, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others).

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can happen suddenly while you are taking this medicine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:

  • liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day;
  • asthma or seasonal allergies;
  • fever with a stiff neck;
  • stomach ulcer, stomach or intestinal bleeding, ulcerative colitis;
  • bleeding problems;
  • kidney disease; or
  • if you take medicine for glaucoma or to prevent blood clots.

If you take Excedrin Migraine Relief to treat headache pain, seek medical help if you have:

  • a headache so severe you need to lie down;
  • a headache that causes vomiting;
  • what feels like the worst headache you've ever had;
  • a headache that seems different from your usual headaches;
  • a headache every day;
  • a headache after coughing, bending, exercising, or a head injury;
  • if you have never had migraines diagnosed by a doctor; or
  • if you are having your first headache after age 50.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without medical advice.

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Excedrin Migraine Relief side effects

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may lead to a severe skin reaction that can be life-threatening. This could happen even if you have taken acetaminophen before without any issues. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately if you notice skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you experience this type of reaction, you should never take any medicine that contains acetaminophen again.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using it and call your doctor right away if you experience:

  • severe anxiety, agitation, confusion, panic;
  • easy bruising or bleeding;
  • feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
  • signs of dehydration--feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or having hot and dry skin;
  • symptoms of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds;
  • high potassium levels--nausea, weakness, tingling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, loss of movement; or
  • liver issues--nausea, pain in the upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Excedrin Migraine Relief may include:

  • upset stomach, heartburn;
  • feeling depressed, anxious, or restless; or
  • sleep issues (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Excedrin Migraine Relief is taken as needed, you may not follow a regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose and it’s nearly time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Early signs of acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or weakness. Later symptoms may include upper stomach pain, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Overdose symptoms may also include ringing in your ears, headache, diarrhea, hallucinations, fast or slow heart rate, or seizure (convulsions).

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to acetaminophen or aspirin (such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of caffeine while taking this medication. They can add to the side effects of the caffeine in the medication.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

What other drugs will affect Excedrin Migraine Relief?

Other drugs may affect Excedrin Migraine Relief, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medicine you begin or stop using.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Related medicines

Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.