How fast does excedrin migraine work

It reduces pain and inflammation, which includes swelling and irritation. Aspirin also reduces the amount of prostaglandins the body produces, but differently from how acetaminophen does. Caffeine is not a pain reliever. That means it makes blood vessels narrower. In Excedrin Migraine, caffeine works to narrow blood vessels in your brain. This decreases the amount of blood that can flow through the blood vessels at one time. This action helps combat headaches, which happen when blood vessels widen.

Check out the interactive infographic: 14 common migraine triggers ». Excedrin Migraine comes as a caplet you take by mouth. Each caplet contains mg acetaminophen, mg aspirin, and 65 mg caffeine. The recommended dosage is listed below by age. Because it contains aspirin, you should be very careful when giving Excedrin Migraine to children and teens.

Never give products that contain aspirin to a child younger than 12 years. Learn more: Treating migraines and severe migraines ». Each of the three drugs in Excedrin Migraine can cause some side effects.

Some effects may go away as your body becomes used to the medication. And if you have any of the serious side effects, call your doctor or right away. These side effects can include:. The serious side effects of Excedrin Migraine can be caused by the acetaminophen and aspirin it contains. If you take medication in addition to Excedrin Migraine, it may cause drug interactions. Novartis, the manufacturer of Excedrin Extra Strength, said the claim in the ad was based on a proprietary study they refused to share with us.

We found just one relevant study of Excedrin Extra Strength published in the journal Headache in Excedrin Extra Strength can help relieve headache pain, but it might take a couple of hours to kick in.

Instead of paying more for the brand-name product though, we recommend considering a generic version, which contain the same active ingredients milligrams of acetaminophen, mg of aspirin, and 65 mg caffeine per tablet , but is usually less expensive.

Because Excedrin Extra Strength contains three different compounds, it poses several different risks. Consumer Reports medical advisers recommend taking no more than 3, mg of acetaminophen in a hour period. Aspirin can cause stomach bleeding, especially in people age 60 or older and those who have had stomach ulcers or take a blood thinning anticoagulant or steroid drug.

You might have a migraine or another type of headache that requires a different medication. For more on treating migraine headaches, check out our Best Buy Drugs report. Even though the cause of migraines is still largely unknown, and triggers vary from person to person, you should treat your migraines right away.

One study found that a whopping 49 percent of migraine sufferers avoid or delay taking medications when they feel an attack coming on. References: migraine treatments , caffeine.

Not sure how to talk about your migraines in a new relationship? Try these tips! Use product as directed. To report an adverse event, call Read More. Feel a migraine coming on, but unsure if you should wait or medicate? Act fast! 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:. Not working with a headache specialist? Use our Find a Doctor Tool to locate an expert in your area. Skip to content. What does the temporary pause in production of Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine mean for those living with migraine? To find products near you and to learn more about the products, visit their website.