Should i take excedrin migraine

Other people learn to manage their perception of pain through a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. There is some evidence that natural remedies such as vitamins and herbal supplements may provide migraine relief for some people. For example, riboflavin, magnesium and Coenzyme Q10 are vitamin supplements that are commonly recommended for migraine sufferers, and feverfew and butterbur are often cited as herbal remedies.

There are a number of lifestyle tweaks you can try to help prevent migraine attacks and better manage the pain when it comes. For example, many people find that exercising regularly and maintaining a consistent eating and sleeping routine helps cut their risk of migraines.

Stay hydrated and try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and yoga if stress is an issue. Many people also keep a migraine diary to help identify potential triggers and track how effective their treatment is. Once a migraine strikes, try to find somewhere dark and quiet where you can rest or even nap.

Many people find it soothing to place an ice pack or cool towel on their forehead or neck. You are about to leave Excedrin. If you do not wish to leave this site, click Cancel. Or, click OK to continue. OK Cancel. Where to Buy. Select Location and Language:. Czech Republic. United Arab Emirates. Hong Kong. New Zealand. Puerto Rico. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines impact an estimated one in four households in the U. What does this temporary pause in production mean for those people?

While Excedrin Migraine is the most frequently used over-the-counter drug for migraines, try looking for substitute medications with the same formula as Excedrin Migraine mg acetaminophen, mg of aspirin and 65 mg of caffeine.

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Most people turn to an over-the-counter medication when they are experiencing an acute migraine attack or tension-type headache. This is sensible, as over-the-counter medications like Tylenol acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories NSAIDs , like ibuprofen and aspirin, are easily available, cheap, and do not require a healthcare provider's visit. Even more, there are scientific studies supporting their benefit and safety in treating an episodic migraine or tension-type headache.

That said, when perusing the aisle of your local pharmacy, you have likely noticed another over-the-counter pain reliever for migraines and tension headaches—Excedrin. It's a combination analgesic that contains Tylenol acetaminophen , aspirin, and the "eye-opening" agent caffeine. With that, you may wonder whether Excedrin is as good or even better than Tylenol alone, aspirin alone, or ibuprofen alone for alleviating headaches and migraines.

Let's explore this question in a bit more detail, as the answer is not as straightforward as you may expect. In other words, there are upsides and downsides to consider when choosing Excedrin as your "go-to" medication for tension headaches or migraines.

In a review study in The Journal of Headache and Pain, the combination of caffeine with an analgesic like Tylenol acetaminophen , aspirin acetylsalicylic acid , and ibuprofen, was more effective in treating migraines and tension-type headaches, as compared to the analgesic medication alone.

However, you may be surprised to learn that caffeine, itself, is not a pain reliever. Rather, it increases the effect of analgesics, like aspirin and Tylenol, and it does this by enhancing their absorption within the gut. Research shows caffeine's augmenting effect is seen at doses of milligrams mg or more in tension-type headaches and mg or more in migraine.

Since over-the-counter caffeine-containing medications contain 64 to 65 mg of caffeine including Excedrin , please note that you would have to take two Excedrin tablets to derive the caffeine benefit which is a typical dose. As an added bonus, it's worth mentioning that a caffeine-containing headache pain reliever may have other perks. Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it improves mood, alertness, information processing, awareness, attention, and reaction time.

Additionally, caffeine improves gastric motility the physical movement of food through your digestive tract. Medical care is generally not black and white. In other words, it's a complex art, as not every person's body and medical history are the same. To ensure a specific medication is right for you, it's important to first talk with your healthcare provider. Side Effects: One downside of taking Excedrin instead of Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen alone is that you may experience side effects from the caffeine.

The most common side effects are:. That said, these side effects are generally mild and short-lived. Still, if you normally cannot tolerate a strong cup of coffee or are about to go into a meeting and are worried about getting a bit shaky, Excedrin may not the best choice for you at that time. Caffeine Paradox: Caffeine in the moment, if you are not taking it regularly, can be helpful in getting rid of a headache.

However, if you are used to a certain amount everyday, like a cup of coffee in the morning, abruptly changing that pattern can cause a withdrawal headache.