Apc

This medication contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and Caffeine (Apc). Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Caffeine (Apc) is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

This medication is used to treat pain caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, toothaches, the common cold, or nasal congestion.

Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.

This medicaion should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin in this medicine can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children. You should not use this if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or Caffeine (Apc), or if you have:

a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;

liver disease;

asthma or severe allergic reaction caused by taking aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), especially "aspirin triad syndrome"; or

if you are allergic to an NSAID such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:

asthma or seasonal allergies;

fever with a stiff neck;

a stomach ulcer, heartburn, or stomach pain;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;

diabetes; or

gout.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding while taking aspirin, or liver damage while taking acetaminophen. Do not use any other cough, cold, allergy, pain, menstrual symptom, or fever medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP", aspirin, and Caffeine (Apc) are contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen, APAP, aspirin, or Caffeine (Apc).

Avoid taking an NSAID such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of Caffeine (Apc) while taking this medication. They can add to the side effects of the Caffeine (Apc) in this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with aspirin may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

salicylates such as aspirin, Backache Relief Extra Strength, Novasal, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Doan’s Pills Extra Strength, Tricosal, and others; or

medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with the medicine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Excedrin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

weakness or fainting;

black, bloody, or tarry stools;

coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

redness or swelling;

low fever with nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

fever lasting longer than 3 days;

pain lasting longer than 10 days; or

hearing problems, ringing in your ears.

Less serious side effects may include:

upset stomach, heartburn;

feeling nervous or excited; or

sleep problems (insomnia).