Exedrin. Indications for use, instructions, analogues, composition, price, reviews

Excedrin tablets belong to the category of multidirectional complex drugs. Among indications for use are migraine, hyperthermia, neuralgia. The medicine quickly relieves pain and lowers body temperature.

Release form and composition of the drug

Excedrin is a white oblong tablet with a water-soluble film coating. The front surface is engraved with the Latin letter "E". In pharmacies, the medication is supplied in cardboard packages, inside which there are 2 or 3 multilayer contoured blisters with tablets.

Pharmacologically active substances of Excedrin:

• paracetamol - 250 mg in each tablet;
• acetylsalicylic acid - 250 mg;
• synthesized medical caffeine - 65 mg.

Due to the complex action of these components, the tablets have antipyretic, analgesic, tonic and psychostimulating effects. The latter is most weakly expressed.

Auxiliary chemical compounds of the core and film shell:

Component name	Properties and action
Hyprolosis	A mixed ester with antibacterial properties.
Microcrystalline cellulose	Bioactive additive that reduces the level of intoxication in the body. Possesses sorbing properties, regulates blood glucose, stimulates digestive function.
Stearic acid	Monobasic carbon fiber compound. It is used as a stabilizer for multicomponent chemical systems. Possesses emulsifying properties.
Carnauba wax	The basis of the film shell of tablets. A plastic material that ensures the ease of assimilation of the pharmacologically active components of the drug.
Titanium dioxide	Chemically inert substance with preservative properties that prolongs the shelf life of the tablets.
Sorbitan laurate	Structuring agent with moisturizing properties.
Povidone	A chemical compound with antiseptic characteristics. It is included in the tablet shell as a complexing agent.
Polysorbate 20	Nonionic surfactant. Possesses emulsifying and stabilizing properties.
Benzoic acid	Blocks inflammatory enzymes, slows down metabolic processes in unicellular bacteria, mold and fungal cultures, suppressing their reproduction.

Excedrin indications for use are recommended for headaches and inflammations accompanied by hyperthermia. The composition of the water-soluble drug shell includes mineral oils, natural dyes, simethicone emulsion.

Pharmacological properties

The biochemical characteristics and physiological action of the complex tablets are based on the ability of paracetamol to reduce the thermal parameters of the body. This pharmacologically active component is classified as an antipyretic agent in the anilide category.

Paracetamol has analgesic properties. It acts on the point of thermoregulation in the hypothalamus - the functional part of the brain. The combined pharmacological properties of Excedrin are also due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of acetylsalicylic acid.

The chemical compound is of non-steroidal origin, which reduces the number of side effects. Acetylsalicylic acid irreversibly inactivates cyclooxygenase. This enzyme is involved in the synthesis of the main biochemical factors of inflammation - prostaglandins.

Caffeine performs tonic and psychostimulating functions in the medicinal composition. It increases attention, improves the functioning of the nervous system, activates intracellular and tissue metabolism. The substance enters into a physiological relationship with the purine receptors of the cerebral organ.

Caffeine increases the excitation of neurons and stimulates the synthesis of endorphins that relieve pain. These effects are dose-dependent. In Excedrin, caffeine is contained in a small concentration, therefore, the psychostimulating effect of it and the regulatory function are weak.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The combined drug moderately inhibits platelet aggregation and increases blood circulation in the inflammatory focus. Excedrin has a weak vasodilator effect. The pharmacodynamic properties of the tablets are due to the ability of the active ingredients to have a tonic effect on the respiratory canals and brain centers.

The drug effectively relieves pain associated with inflammatory processes and neuralgias of various origins. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the tablets are determined by the metabolic properties of the active ingredients. Paracetamol is rapidly absorbed into the structure of the digestive system.

The maximum concentration of the antipyretic component in the blood plasma after oral administration occurs in 1-2 hours. At a standard therapeutic dose, paracetamol binds to hematological protein compounds to a small extent.

With an increase in the volume taken, this effect is enhanced. Paracetamol is metabolized in the liver, removed from the body by 70% through the urinary tract in the form of conjugates of sulfate and glucuronide compounds. No more than 5% of the dose taken is eliminated unchanged.

The half-life of paracetamol is 1-4 hours. The hydroxylated metabolite of a pharmacologically active substance is able to accumulate in the liver tissues, causing organ intoxication. Most of it binds to reduced glutathione, which facilitates excretion.

Acetylsalicylic acid is completely absorbed in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly transformed during hydrolysis. It saturates the blood and liver tissue with salicylates, which are of low toxicity and are easily excreted in the urine.

Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the digestive system. Its maximum concentration in blood plasma is observed after 1.5 hours. after taking the pill on an empty stomach. No more than 35% of caffeine enters into biochemical interaction with protein elements. The substance is evenly distributed in all physiological body fluids.

Completely decomposes into pharmacologically active metabolites as a result of oxidative reactions, demethylation and acetylation processes. Eliminated by the renal organ and bladder. The average half-life is 4.9 hours.

Indications for use

Tablets are prescribed to reduce body temperature in inflammatory processes, acute respiratory viral infections, exacerbation of chronic diseases. The drug demonstrates good efficacy in relieving headaches and toothaches.

Excedrin indications for use are recommended to be taken when:

• cephalalgia of any etiology;
• migraines caused by physical fatigue or psycho-emotional stress;
• elevated body temperature;
• inflammation of the joints;
• muscle pain syndrome, with the exception of DOMS;
• pinched nerve;
• dysmenorrhea.

The drug improves blood circulation, increases mental activity, has a general tonic effect. It is prescribed for children and adults with bacterial infections and associated hyperthermia.

Contraindications

The combined medicine of a wide spectrum of pharmacological action has an impressive list of absolute medical prohibitions on the use and situational restrictions associated with the current physiological state organism. Complex tablets should not be taken for stomach ulcers.

Absolute contraindications include:

• irritable bowel syndrome;
• erosive damage to the gastrointestinal tract tissues;
• bleeding in the digestive organs;
• exacerbation of cardiac ischemia;
• high blood pressure;
• intracranial hypertension;
• renal failure;
• bronchial asthma in combination with recurrent polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses;
• violation of the rheological properties of blood;
• hypoprothrombonemia;

The medication is not prescribed for vitamin K deficiency, angle-closure glaucoma, low content of the cytosolic enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Taking pills is contraindicated in patients with hemorrhagic diathesis - hereditary or acquired severe pathology of the hemostatic system.

It is undesirable to use Excedrin to reduce body temperature or relieve pain, sleep dysfunction and increased nervous excitability. Indications for the use of tablets are not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Do not prescribe a drug to people who have a history of:

• gout;
• arthritis;
• cirrhosis;
• hepatitis;

Do not use tablets to relieve postoperative pain and cephalalgia caused by traumatic brain injury.

At what age can the drug be used?

Excedrin is prescribed from the age of 15. For children under this age, tablets are contraindicated due to the content of the psychostimulating component in the chemical formula of the drug - caffeine.

Instructions for use, dosage

The drug is taken orally with meals or immediately after meals. The recommended single dose is 1 tablet. In case of acute pain, severe hyperthermia and an active inflammatory process, an interval between doses of 3-4 hours can be taken. The maximum daily allowance is 6 tablets. Exceeding it is strongly discouraged.

For migraines, you can take 2 tablets at once. This dose usually relieves the condition and suppresses pain. A tangible clinical effect occurs within 15 minutes. after oral administration. It is recommended to drink the tablets with plenty of water.

Side effects

With individual intolerance to the components of the drug composition, the development of anaphylactic reactions of an immediate type is possible. Excedrin is a potent, complex drug that can cause some side effects.

These include:

• gastralgia - pain or discomfort in the abdomen and pelvis;
• nausea;
• activation of the gag reflex;
• liver intoxication;
• temporary impairment of the functions of the renal organ;
• tachycardia;
• an increase in blood pressure;
• spasm of the bronchial canals.

The unpleasant effects disappear quickly; in most cases, medical attention is not required. With prolonged use of Excedrin, negative symptoms become more pronounced. The drug has increased hepato- and nephrotoxicity.

With prolonged regular use of pills, you may experience:

• periodic dizziness;
• disorder of visual function;
• tinnitus associated with increased intracranial pressure;
• decrease in platelet aggregation;
• hypocoagulation;
• hemorrhagic syndrome.

The defeat of the renal organ is externally expressed in papillary necrosis. Exudative erythema of the malignant structure rarely develops. In the practice of using Excedrin, metabolic acidosis has been recorded.

Overdose

Some of the side effects occur against the background of regularly exceeding the maximum allowable daily therapeutic norm. Paracetamol, when taken in ultrahigh doses, can cause unnatural pallor of the epidermis, abdominal pain, muscular dystrophy.

Excedrin, whose indications include the need to lower body temperature, can provoke hyperthermia. This is a clear symptom of an overdose. Renal failure was recorded, accompanied by tubular necrosis.

It develops over 12-48 hours. after a significant excess of the therapeutic norm.

Other symptoms of an overdose associated with the pharmacological activity of paracetamol are:

• cardiac arrhythmia;
• pancreatitis;
• progressive encephalopathy due to toxic damage to the liver tissues.

Such pathological conditions are observed with a one-time intake of more than 10 g of the drug. For acetylsalicylic acid, the critical dose is 150 mg per kg of body weight.

Exceeding this norm leads to impaired respiratory function, cyanosis, and paralysis of the pulmonary organ. Caffeine, which is part of the tablets, is strictly forbidden to take in an amount of more than 300 mg per day.

There is confusion, a hyper-creative state of the psyche, frequent urination, and other pathological manifestations. If any symptoms of an overdose occur, electrolyte balance should be monitored.

The acid-base balance is monitored and adjusted if necessary. Symptomatic therapy involves the use of bicarbonate, citrate and sodium lactate. Perform gastric lavage, induce a gag reflex, use adsorbent drugs.

special instructions

The recommended therapeutic dose contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of black coffee. While taking Excedrin, it is advisable to minimize the consumption of foods with this psychoactive compound. Side effects are possible in the form of changes in the emotional state and increased nervous excitability.

Excedrin indications for use are not recommended to be combined with alcoholic beverages due to an increase in the toxic load on the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Before surgery, you should notify the surgeon about taking tablets with acetylsalicylic acid, which impairs blood clotting.

The drug does not affect the ability to drive vehicles and dangerous mechanisms, to perform work requiring concentration. With prolonged treatment with tablets, it is necessary to regularly undergo functional diagnostics to assess the state of the liver, gastrointestinal tract and the rheological properties of the blood.

Drug interactions

Excedrin enhances the pharmacological properties of Heparin, indirect coagulants, Reserpine. Simultaneous reception is undesirable. The combination of combined pills with hormonal drugs of the steroid category and antidiabetic drugs has a similar effect.

The likelihood of side effects increases significantly when Excedrin is combined with antitumor antimetabolites. Complex tablets reduce the effectiveness of diuretics, antihypertensive medications and drugs for gout, which intensify the outflow of uric acid.

Increase the production of toxic products of paracetamol metabolism, affecting the functional state of the liver, the following drugs:

• Rifampicin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic with a wide range of applications;
• derivatives of barbituric acid, depressing the central nervous system;
• Salicylamide - an analgesic-antipyretic based on salicylic acid;
• any medication for epilepsy;
• various inducers of microsomal hepatic enzymes.

Metoclopramide increases the rate of absorption of paracetamol, and anticoagulants enhance its pharmacological action.

Analogs

If there are contraindications to the use of Excedrin, it is easy to replace it with a drug identical in biochemical mechanism and comparable in price.

Top 5 popular analogues:

• Aquatsitramon. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drug based on paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid. Applied for chest radicular syndrome, neuralgia, menstrual pain, lumbago. A pack of Aquatsitramon costs about 100 rubles.

  

• Kofitsil-plus. Combined anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic medicine. Purpose, dosage, contraindications and side effects are similar to Excedrin. Price - 80 rubles.
• Citramarine. Combined non-narcotic analgesic. The active ingredients and application are similar to Excedrin. It is prescribed for fever, seasonal flu, respiratory diseases. Cost - from 96 rubles.
• Panadol. Effectively eliminates hyperthermia and pain syndrome of various origins. Available in a tablet, oral powder, rectal suppositories. Panadol in Russian pharmacies costs about 150 rubles. for a pack of 20 tablets.
• Baralgetas. Non-narcotic pain reliever drug based on fenpyriminium bromide. Shown for children from 3 years old. It relieves pain, suppresses inflammation, eliminates hyperthermia. Estimated price - 120 rubles.

Citramon Ultra, Citrapar and many other available drugs are considered an analogue of Excedrin.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The tablets are suitable for use within 24 months from the date of production. Excedrin is an over-the-counter drug that can be purchased freely at any pharmacy. Store the medication at temperatures up to + 25 ° C.

Price

Excedrin tablets in Russian pharmacies cost about 190 rubles. Indications for the use of the drug are recommended to take it in an average therapeutic dose, which is 3-4 tablets per day. In case of acute pain, it can be increased to 6 units of the drug per day.

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