Excedrin
Excedrin is an over-the-counter brand-name pain reliever commonly used to treat tension headaches and migraines. It combines multiple active ingredients, including acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, to provide relief from mild to moderate pain. This combination therapy targets pain through multiple mechanisms for enhanced effectiveness.
Excedrin is an OTC pain reliever combining acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine primarily used for tension headaches and migraines.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 217020
- Generic
- Excedrin
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Excedrin is primarily used to treat tension headaches and migraine headaches, though it may also provide relief for general mild to moderate pain such as toothaches, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps.
Excedrin combines three active ingredients: acetaminophen provides pain relief and reduces fever, aspirin provides anti-inflammatory effects and pain relief, and caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor that narrows blood vessels in the brain and enhances the effectiveness of the other ingredients.
This medication contains aspirin, so it should not be used by children or teenagers recovering from viral infections due to Reye's syndrome risk. Individuals with aspirin allergies, liver disease, or bleeding disorders should avoid or consult a doctor before use. It should not be combined with alcohol or other products containing acetaminophen.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy