Excedrin Migraine is a common doctor-recommended over the counter migraine treatment. In clinical studies, patients with moderate to severe migraines experienced effective relief with just one dose. Excedrin Migraine contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and therapeutically active caffeine. (Source)

ACETAMINOPHEN

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. How it works exactly is not known. We do know that it works mainly in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Acetaminophen increases the amount of pain your body can tolerate by reducing the amount of prostaglandins it produces. A prostaglandin is a substance that’s linked with pain.

ASPIRIN

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). 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

Caffeine is not a pain reliever. Rather, it’s a vasoconstrictor. 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. Caffeine also helps relieve a headache if it’s caused by caffeine withdrawal. (Source)

Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

Do not take more of Excedrin Migraine than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking Excedrin Migraine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. (Source)

Chiropractic care is a natural solution to managing chronic headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care provides patients suffering from migraines and tension headaches with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications.

Nerve irritation and misalignments of the spine may be the culprit causing inflammation and reduced function. By increasing neuro-spinal health and improving your nervous system function, your body has the ability to better manage the pain caused by migraines and tension headaches. (Source)

Dr. Mooberry is a Denver chiropractor at Lifetime Wellness & Chiropractic. He is well versed in the care of migraines with chiropractic care. Dr. Isaac Mooberry is considered one of the leading experts in migraines across the nation. Make sure you get your annual neuro-spinal check up to see how you are doing.