What Makes Excedrin Migraine Effective?
Excedrin Migraine
One of the most popular over the counter drugs for migraine headache is Excedrin Migraine. This medication combines several pain relievers for the most effective relief possible without a prescription. A migraine is a headache that is extremely painful and may last for hours. It may or may not be preceded by an aura, which is a disturbance of the vision. Many migraines have nausea and sensitivity to light and sound as side effects. Excedrin is considered an acute treatment, the first recommended course of action to relieve migraine pain.
Acute treatments include non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Acetaminophen is another popular acute pain reliever. Excedrin combines aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine for extra pain relief. Studies have shown that the addition of caffeine to analgesic pain relievers like these can up the efficiency as much as 40 percent. Doctors often recommend combining acetaminophen with NSAIDs for maximum relief of pain so this is safe for most people. Like all drugs both prescription and over the counter, there are some precautions and safety issues you should know about before you take Excedrin.
This medication should not be taken by anyone with kidney or liver problems. Acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver. NSAIDs like aspirin can be hard on the stomach lining, so if you have ulcers or other stomach issues this drug should be avoided unless directed by your doctor. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication, as it can increase the possibility of liver and/or kidney damage and stomach bleeding. Also, individuals who are sensitive to caffeine should take care when using Excedrin as one dose contains approximately the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
For most people, Excedrin Migraine is a good choice when it comes to over the counter headache relief. Do not take more than the dose specified on package instructions, and read all the fine print carefully. If you have any questions about this drug before taking it, ask the pharmacist or call your doctor. Often the combination of an acute pain reliever like this one, bed rest in a dark quiet room and cold compresses on the affected area can help relieve the pain or at least reduce it until the migraine has run its course. If you find that over the counter medications are not strong enough to help you, your doctor can prescribe drugs called triptans for chronic migraine headaches.
