acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine Health Article

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?

Read the labels on other prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking to determine the amount of acetaminophen, aspirin, or caffeine they contain. Do not take more than one product that contains acetaminophen or aspirin in the same day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Do not take acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or tinzaparin (Innohep);

• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (used for pain, arthritis, fever, and other conditions) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin);

• another salicylate (used for pain, arthritis, fever, and other conditions) such as aspirin (Acuprin, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, Bayer, others); choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid);

• a medicine for diabetes; or

• a medicine for gout.

You may not be able to take acetaminophen, aspirin, or caffeine or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, resulting in side effects and/or altered effectiveness of the medications. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor during treatment with this product.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine is available over-the-counter under the brand names Excedrin, Excedrin Migraine, Goodys Headache Powders, Goodys Extra Strength, and Supac. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.