Generic Name: acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (ah SEET a MIN oh fen, ASP i rin, and KAF een)
Brand Names: Anacin Advanced Headache Formula, Excedrin, Excedrin Express Gels, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Extra Strength Geltab, Excedrin Geltab, Excedrin Menstrual Express Gels, Excedrin Migraine, Excedrin Migraine Geltab, Genace, Goody's Headache Powders, Goodys Extra Strength, Pain Reliever Plus
What is acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
The combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine is used to treat pain caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, toothaches, the common cold, or nasal congestion.
Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or caffeine, or if you have liver disease, stomach or intestinal bleeding, a history of asthma or severe allergic reaction to aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take acetaminophen.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine if you have asthma or seasonal allergies, fever with a stiff neck, a stomach ulcer or pain, heartburn, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, diabetes, or gout.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of liver damage or bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms of liver damage include nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms of stomach bleeding include weakness or fainting, bloody or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding while taking aspirin, or liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough, cold, allergy, pain, menstrual symptom, or fever medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Aspirin and caffeine are also contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen, APAP, aspirin, or caffeine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children. Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take acetaminophen. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or caffeine, or if you have:
a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
- liver disease;
asthma or severe allergic reaction caused by taking aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), especially "aspirin triad syndrome"; or
if you are allergic to an NSAID such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine if you have:
asthma or seasonal allergies;
fever with a stiff neck;
a stomach ulcer, heartburn, or stomach pain;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
diabetes; or
gout.
If you take acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine to treat headache pain, seek medical attention if you have:
a headache so bad you have 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 head injury;
if you have never had migraines diagnosed by a doctor; or
if you are having your first headache after age 50.
Aspirin may be harmful to an unborn baby's heart, and may also reduce birth weight or have other dangerous effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Take the medicine with food or milk if it makes your stomach upset. Stop using acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while taking this medication.
Acetaminophen can cause false results with some urine glucose tests. Talk to your doctor if you are diabetic and you notice changes in your glucose levels while taking this medication.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since this medication is often used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
An overdose of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine can also cause ringing in your ears, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, restlessness, hallucinations, fast or slow heart rate, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding while taking aspirin, or liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough, cold, allergy, pain, menstrual symptom, or fever medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Aspirin and caffeine are also contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen, APAP, aspirin, or caffeine.
Avoid taking another NSAID such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.
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.
Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
weakness or fainting;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
redness or swelling;
low fever with nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever lasting longer than 3 days;
pain lasting longer than 10 days; or
hearing problems, ringing in your ears.
Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach, heartburn;
feeling nervous or excited; or
sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine?
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with aspirin may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
salicylates such as aspirin, Backache Relief Extra Strength, Novasal, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Doan's Pills Extra Strength, Tricosal, and others; or
medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Genace resources
- Genace Side Effects (in more detail)
- Genace Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Genace Drug Interactions
- Genace Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Genace - Add your own review/rating
- Genace Consumer Overview
- Excedrin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Excedrin Consumer Overview
Compare Genace with other medications
- Migraine
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain/Fever
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
See also: Genace side effects (in more detail)
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