Acetaminophen and Salicylates (Systemic)

Category

• Analgesic - Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine; Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine, Buffered; Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Salicylamide, and Caffeine; Acetaminophen, Salicylamide, and Caffeine
• Antipyretic - Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine; Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine, Buffered; Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Salicylamide, and Caffeine; Acetaminophen, Salicylamide, and Caffeine
• Antimigraine - Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine

Description

Acetaminophen and salicylate combination medicines relieve pain and reduce fever. They may be used to relieve occasional pain caused by mild inflammation or arthritis (rheumatism). The acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine combination also may be used to relieve pain associated with migraine headaches.

Neither acetaminophen nor salicylamide is as effective as aspirin for treating chronic or severe pain, or other symptoms, caused by inflammation or arthritis. Some of these combination medicines do not contain any aspirin. Even those that do contain aspirin may not contain enough to be effective in treating these conditions.

A few reports have suggested that acetaminophen and salicylates used together may cause kidney damage or cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder. This may occur if large amounts of both medicines are taken together for a very long time. However, taking usual amounts of these combination medicines for a short time has not been shown to cause these unwanted effects. Also, these effects are not likely to occur with either acetaminophen or a salicylate used alone, even if large amounts have been taken for a long time. Therefore, for long-term use, it may be best to use either acetaminophen or a salicylate, but not both, unless you are under a doctor's care.

Before giving any of these combination medicines to a child, check the package label very carefully. Some of these medicines are too strong for use in children . If you are not certain whether a specific product can be given to a child, or if you have any questions about the amount to give, check with your health care professional.

These medicines are available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine
  • Oral powders (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine, Buffered
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Salicylamide, and Caffeine
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Acetaminophen, Salicylamide, and Caffeine
  • Capsules (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Excedrin Extra-Strength Caplets ¹
• Excedrin Extra-Strength Tablets ¹
• Excedrin Migraine ¹
• Gelpirin ²
• Goody's Fast Pain Relief ¹
• Goody's Headache Powders ¹
• Rid-A-Pain Compound ⁴
• Saleto ³
• Supac ²
• Vanquish Caplets ²