Excedrin for headaches: a new generation of migraine relief in 30 minutes!

What is migraine

In modern society, migraine is familiar to almost every third resident over 35 years of age.
Headache of neurological origin can be epizootic or regular. Attacks can be painful and debilitating and often cannot be controlled with painkillers. More often, pain affects one half of the head, less often – both. When collecting anamnesis, patients with such complaints do not note the presence of injuries; according to the results of instrumental examinations, they do not have tumors in the head. There is no connection between pain and an increase or decrease in blood or intracranial pressure.

According to statistical observations, the disease occurs more often in women. Attacks can range from mild to intense in nature and occur from once a month to daily.

Main characteristics

The drug normalizes blood flow in the vessels, quickly relieves discomfort in the head area, and is also a means of preventing blood clots. Excedrin has a positive effect on the human body, restoring vital energy.

When taking this medication, you must strictly adhere to the dosage: it has a combined composition and can cause various side effects.

Excedrin is available in the form of film-coated tablets with the letter “E” engraved on one side.

Migraine medicine Excedrin - reviews

Maria. I had a terrible experience with Excedrin for migraines. Shortly after taking it, my heart began to race rapidly, a very anxious feeling arose, and my body began to shake. As other people have said, if you are sensitive to caffeine, do not take this medication that contains caffeine.

Victoria. I don't usually get a whole headache, but when I do, it's terrible. I took Excedrin after work and really got relief from a bad headache. The pain disappeared after about 30 minutes. However, the side effects outweigh the side effects. I took a pill on the way home and by the time I got there I felt woozy. I started to feel a little dizzy and had a strange feeling in my stomach. I assumed it was because I was hungry, but after I forced myself to eat, the woozy feeling only intensified. I felt so bad that I just went to bed early, and when I woke up in the morning, the woozy feeling continued. I advise you to take the product more carefully.

Ivan. Experienced great relief in treating migraines. I didn’t have a headache until I was 30, but then I started getting severe migraines in the morning. Nothing worked until I tried Excedrin. I often got relief from one tablet, the product works well.

Multiple symptoms of migraine are associated with impaired vasomotor regulation of vascular tone, caused by the influence of nerve cells of the trigeminal nerve. Read about folk ways to combat migraines in our next article.

pharmachologic effect

Excedrin is a combination medication containing three main components: acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine. The active substances of the medicine complement and enhance each other’s effects, effectively eliminate fever and relieve inflammation.

Caffeine relieves drowsiness, helps cope with fatigue, does not have a significant effect on the central nervous system, tones blood vessels, improves blood circulation, gives strength and has a positive effect on performance. This substance increases the excitability of spinal cord reflexes and dilates blood vessels. The maximum effect is achieved after 1.5 hours. It is excreted from the body by the liver.

Paracetamol is known for its properties to lower fever, relieve pain, and relieve inflammation. The substance binds to blood plasma proteins and is excreted by the kidneys.

Acetylsalicylic acid successfully eliminates pain caused by various inflammatory processes in the body, stimulates microcirculation, and reduces the risk of blood clots. Aspirin is quickly absorbed in the stomach and then broken down in the liver. On average, the dissolution time of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract is one hour.

What is the basis for the beneficial effects of the drug?

Since the drug is combined, it is necessary to carefully consider each of its components:

1. Paracetamol acts on the human body as an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory. Affects the thermoregulatory focus located in the hypothalamic zone. Weakly inhibits the process of prostaglandin synthesis occurring in the peripheral tissue;
2. Acetylsalicylic acid is intended for pain relief, fever relief and anti-inflammatory effects. It is this that should relieve pain caused by current inflammation and reduce the level of platelet aggregation, which reduces the rate of blood clot formation. Strengthens microoutflow in inflammatory foci;
3. Caffeine is needed to increase excitability in the spinal regions, stimulate the respiratory and vasodilator centers, tonify the vessels of direct blood flow in the skeletal muscles and brain, and reduce the level of platelet aggregation. It relieves the feeling of lethargy, affects the level of functionality, mental and physiological stress. In the complex of the described medicine, this substance is contained in a small dosage, therefore it cannot fully stimulate the central nervous system, but at the same time it normalizes vascular tone in the brain and accelerates the intensity of blood flow.

Contraindications and overdose

Like any other medicine, Excedrin has a number of restrictions on its use. Among them the following are noted:

• hypersensitivity to one of the components of the drug;
• relapse of peptic ulcer or erosive lesions of the stomach;
• respiratory pathologies, asthma;
• the period before or after surgery;
• blood clotting disorders, bleeding;
• high blood pressure;
• cardiac ischemia;
• kidney pathologies;
• diseases of the visual organs, acute glaucoma;
• increased nervous excitability, insomnia;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• age under 15 years (due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome).

The medication is used with caution in the following cases:

• gout (due to a delay in the excretion of uric acid from the body);
• traumatic brain injuries;
• liver pathologies;
• arthritis;
• together with anticoagulants and agents having a similar composition.

In cases of Excedrin overdose, the following symptoms may occur:

• pale skin;
• pain in the stomach and intestines;
• dysfunction of the liver and kidneys;
• exacerbation of respiratory diseases, shortness of breath;
• decreased vision, dizziness, tinnitus;
• tachycardia, rapid heartbeat, cardiac arrhythmia;
• increased blood pressure;
• nose bleed;
• nausea and vomiting;
• loss of appetite;
• poisoning of the body;
• impaired consciousness, increased anxiety;
• encephalopathy, pancreatitis, arrhythmia, coma, death (in severe cases).

First aid for overdose consists of gastric lavage within four hours after using the drug, taking Activated Charcoal and laxatives, as well as administering sodium bicarbonate.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Paracetamol is very easily absorbed by the body from the stomach and intestines, its maximum content in plasma is observed after two hours. Paracetamol is metabolized by the liver, and residual substances are eliminated from the body by the kidneys. Forms minor bonds with proteins if the recommended dose is not exceeded during administration.

The body absorbs acetylsalicylic acid without any residue very quickly, at the same rate it is hydrolyzed in the liver, after which salicylates are formed in the blood and are further metabolized in the liver.

Caffeine is absorbed quickly, especially if the tablets were taken on an empty stomach. The maximum plasma level is reached after one and a half hours. It is completely excreted by the kidneys, but before that it penetrates into every liquid medium of the body.

Side effects

Excedrin can cause the following negative effects:

• stomach ache;
• nausea and vomiting;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• toxic damage to the liver and kidneys;
• erosions, ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
• allergic rashes;
• spasms in the bronchi;
• dizziness, cephalalgia, disturbances in visual and auditory perception (with long-term use of the drug).

In what cases is it prescribed

Excedrin is mainly used for headaches. The drug helps with mild to moderate discomfort, so it has other indications.

What Excedrin tablets help with:

• headache;
• toothache;
• menstrual pain;
• migraine;
• joint and muscle pain;
• neuralgia.

Important ! Headache is a symptom of many pathological processes in the body. Therefore, if it occurs frequently, consultation with a doctor is necessary.

special instructions

If Excedrin does not have the desired effect or if you feel worse, you should stop taking the medication.

To prevent excessive excitability of the nervous system, as well as to reduce the risk of developing insomnia, simultaneous use of the drug with caffeine-containing drinks should be avoided.

When using alcohol and medication together, the risk of liver damage and gastrointestinal bleeding increases.

If the patient is undergoing surgery, it is necessary to stop taking the medication. Aspirin, which is part of it, has a thinning effect, which increases the risk of bleeding.

With prolonged use of the drug, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the peripheral blood.

The effect of the drug on the ability to drive a car and operate complex mechanisms was not detected.

Medications for headaches

In modern medicine, Excedrin has been developed and widely used to relieve migraine attacks. Excedrin is very effective for migraines because its action is aimed at eliminating the very cause of a migraine attack.

At the same time, it relieves pain, improves blood circulation and helps prevent the formation of blood clots.

The migraine remedy Excedrin has a positive effect on the functioning of the body as a whole. After taking it, vital activity increases and there is no drowsiness. It has many positive effects.

The attack passes quite quickly, without causing any discomfort. The shelf life of this drug reaches sixty months or five years. "Excedrin" can be included in the category of affordable drugs - relative to its price. If you have chronic diseases, be sure to tell them about it when you visit your doctor.

Like any medical drug, it has analogues. Analogs are medications that are similar in composition and use. If you took Excedrin and observed positive dynamics, and then switched to an analogue. The results may not be the same.

Interaction with other drugs

The medicine may enhance the effect of the following substances:

• heparin;
• some coagulants;
• reserpine;
• hormones;
• hypoglycemic medications.

When taking Excedrin together with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the risk of side effects increases.

The medication reduces the effect of the following substances and medications:

• spironolactone;
• furosemide;
• antihypertensive drugs;
• drugs for the treatment of gout.

"Excedrin" has a negative effect on the liver when used simultaneously with the following substances:

• barbiturates;
• rifampicin;
• salicylamide.

How to take the drug

Tablets are taken during or after meals. Daily dose per day - 6 pieces. Usually 3-4 pieces are enough. After taking 2 tablets, the headache subsides within 15 minutes. During a migraine attack, this occurs within 30 minutes.

Not allowed during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.

Drink plenty of plain water. There are contraindications and side effects, which can be found in the instructions for use.

For what reason does the disease occur?

As mentioned above, this problem is inherited.
For example, on the father's side, the disease will be transmitted in 40 cases out of 100, and on the maternal line in 70 cases out of 100. If both parents have the disease, then the probability of the child developing such a pathology increases to 90%. As a rule, the first attacks of pain occur in a person at 20-30 years of age. There have been documented cases of headaches occurring in children aged 6-7 years. Boys and girls under twelve years of age can be affected by attacks; the disease usually resolves in men by age 45 and in women at menopause. This relationship is due to surges in estrogen

Among other things, the problem may arise:

• disorders in the brain;
• uneven dilation of blood vessels;
• alveoli;
• high blood pressure.

Compatibility of Excedrin with other substances

When using Excedrin, it is important to consider the reactions that may occur when it interacts with other substances.

Compatibility of Excedrin with other drugs:

What can replace Excedrin?

Analogues of Excedrin:

1. Askofen L. Contains 200 mg of paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid, as well as 40 mg of caffeine. The average cost is 20 rubles.
2. Copacil . Active ingredients: 300 mg of acetylsalicylic acid, 100 mg of paracetamol and 50 mg of caffeine. The average price is 70 rubles.
3. Citramon P. Contains 180 mg of paracetamol, 240 mg of acetylsalicylic acid and 30 mg of caffeine. Price – 10 rubles.

Who should not take Excedrin?

There are a number of cases in which taking Excedrin is prohibited. Therefore, before using this product, you should consult a specialist.

Absolute contraindications to the use of the medication:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• hemorrhagic diathesis;
• exacerbation of erosions and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract;
• hypoprothrombinemia;
• internal bleeding;
• hemophilia;
• the presence of nasal polyps, bronchial asthma and intolerance to other anti-inflammatory drugs (in combination);
• surgical interventions with a risk of bleeding;
• hypertension;
• severe coronary heart disease;
• renal failure;
• glaucoma;
• insufficient level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the body;
• low vitamin K levels;
• insomnia;
• increased excitability;
• the period of bearing a child in the third trimester,
• lactation period,
• serious heart pathologies;
• children under 15 years of age.

In some cases, Excedrin must be used with extreme caution. There are diseases that increase the risk of side effects.

When to take Excedrin with caution:

• surgical interventions, including tooth extraction,
• history of bleeding ulcers;
• dehydration;
• diabetes;
• impairment of renal and hepatic functions;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• bronchial asthma;
• negative reaction of the body to other anti-inflammatory medications;
• adolescence up to 18 years of age;
• alcohol addiction;
• gout;
• hyperthyroidism.