Description and Brand Names
US Brand Name
- Anacin Aspirin Free
- Apra
- Arthritis Pain Relief
- Backprin
- Be-Flex Plus
- By-Ache
- Cafgesic Forte
- Cetafen
- Childrens Mapap
- Childrens Nortemp
- Combiflex
- Comtrex Sore Throat Relief
- Dolono
- Durabac
- Durabac Forte
- Febrol
- Genaced
- Genapap
- Genebs
- Goodys Fast Pain Relief
- Infantaire
- Levacet
- Mapap
- Mapap Arthritis Pain
- Pain-Eze Rheu-Thritis
- Pyrecot
- Pyregesic
- Q-Pap
- Redutemp
- Silapap
- T-Painol
- Tycolene
- Tylenol
Descriptions
Acetaminophen and salicylate combination medicines relieve pain and reduce fever. They may be used to relieve occasional pain caused by mild inflammation or arthritis (rheumatism). The acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine combination also may be used to relieve pain associated with migraine headaches.
Neither acetaminophen nor salicylamide is as effective as aspirin for treating chronic or severe pain, or other symptoms, caused by inflammation or arthritis. Some of these combination medicines do not contain any aspirin. Even those that do contain aspirin may not contain enough to be effective in treating these conditions.
A few reports have suggested that acetaminophen and salicylates used together may cause kidney damage or cancer of the kidney or urinary bladder. This may occur if large amounts of both medicines are taken together for a very long time. However, taking usual amounts of these combination medicines for a short time has not been shown to cause these unwanted effects. Also, these effects are not likely to occur with either acetaminophen or a salicylate used alone, even if large amounts have been taken for a long time. Therefore, for long-term use, it may be best to use either acetaminophen or a salicylate, but not both, unless you are under a doctor’s care.
Before giving any of these combination medicines to a child, check the package label very carefully. Some of these medicines are too strong for use in children. If you are not certain whether a specific product can be given to a child, or if you have any questions about the amount to give, check with your health care professional.
These medicines are available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
- Packet
Before Using
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
For acetaminophen: Acetaminophen has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.
For aspirin and for salicylamide: Do not give a medicine containing aspirin or salicylamide to a child with symptoms of a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with your child’s doctor. This is very important because aspirin may cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome in children with fever caused by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox. Children who do not have a virus infection may also be more sensitive to the effects of aspirin, especially if they have a fever or have lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
For caffeine: There is no specific information comparing use of caffeine in children younger than 12 years of age with use in other age groups. However, caffeine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Geriatric
Elderly people may be more likely than younger adults to develop serious kidney problems if they take large amounts of these combination medicines for a long time. Therefore, it is best that elderly people not take this medicine for more than 5 days in a row unless they are under a doctor’s care.
For acetaminophen: Acetaminophen has been tested and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
For aspirin: People 60 years of age and older are especially sensitive to the effects of aspirin. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
For caffeine: Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of caffeine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Pregnancy
For acetaminophen: Studies on birth defects have not been done in humans. However, acetaminophen has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems.
For aspirin: Studies in humans have not shown that aspirin causes birth defects. However, aspirin has been shown to cause birth defects in animals. Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your doctor. Some reports have suggested that too much use of aspirin late in pregnancy may cause a decrease in the newborn’s weight and possible death of the fetus or newborn infant. However, the mothers in these reports had been taking much larger amounts of aspirin than are usually recommended. Studies of mothers taking aspirin in the doses that are usually recommended did not show these unwanted effects. However, there is a chance that regular use of aspirin late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or newborn infant. Use of aspirin during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery, or in the newborn infant. Also, too much use of aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery.
For salicylamide: Studies on birth defects have not been done in humans.
For caffeine: Studies in humans have not shown that caffeine causes birth defects. However, use of large amounts of caffeine by the mother during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm of the fetus and may affect the growth of the fetus. Studies in animals have shown that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts equal to the amount of caffeine in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day).
Breastfeeding
For acetaminophen and for aspirin: Acetaminophen and aspirin pass into breast milk; however, they have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
For caffeine: Caffeine (contained in some of these combination medicines) passes into breast milk in small amounts. Taking caffeine in the amounts present in these medicines has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies. However, studies have shown that babies may appear jittery and have trouble in sleeping when their mothers drink large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages. Therefore, breast-feeding mothers who use these medicines probably should limit the amount of caffeine they take in from other medicines or from beverages
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.
Abrocitinib
Defibrotide
Dichlorphenamide
Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
Ketorolac
Riociguat
Viloxazine
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Acalabrutinib
Acarbose
Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Acetazolamide
Alclometasone
Aldosterone
Alipogene Tiparvovec
Alteplase, Recombinant
Amcinonide
Amikacin
Amiloride
Amineptine
Amitriptyline
Amitriptylinoxide
Amoxapine
Amphetamine
Amphotericin B
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Anisindione
Apixaban
Ardeparin
Argatroban
Atazanavir
Bacitracin
Balsalazide
Beclomethasone
Bemetizide
Bemiparin
Benazepril
Bendroflumethiazide
Benzthiazide
Betamethasone
Betrixaban
Bictegravir
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Bivalirudin
Brinzolamide
Bromfenac
Budesonide
Bufexamac
Bumetanide
Cabotegravir
Caplacizumab-yhdp
Capmatinib
Capreomycin
Captopril
Carbamazepine
Cefuroxime Axetil
Celecoxib
Certoparin
Chlorothiazide
Chlorpropamide
Chlorthalidone
Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
Choline Salicylate
Ciclesonide
Cilostazol
Cisplatin
Citalopram
Clobetasol
Clobetasone
Clocortolone
Clomipramine
Clonixin
Clopamide
Clopidogrel
Cortisone
Curcumin
Cyclopenthiazide
Cyclosporine
Cyclothiazide
Dabigatran Etexilate
Dalteparin
Danaparoid
Deferasirox
Deflazacort
Desipramine
Desirudin
Desmopressin
Desonide
Desoximetasone
Desvenlafaxine
Dexamethasone
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Dextroamphetamine
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Dicumarol
Diflorasone
Diflucortolone
Diflunisal
Difluprednate
Digoxin
Dipyrone
Dorzolamide
Dothiepin
Doxepin
Droxicam
Duloxetine
Edoxaban
Emtricitabine
Enalapril
Enalaprilat
Enoxaparin
Eplerenone
Eptifibatide
Erdafitinib
Escitalopram
Ethacrynic Acid
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Etozolin
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Feverfew
Floctafenine
Flucloronide
Fludrocortisone
Flufenamic Acid
Flumethasone
Flunisolide
Fluocinolone
Fluocinonide
Fluocortin
Fluocortolone
Fluorometholone
Fluoxetine
Flurandrenolide
Flurbiprofen
Fluticasone
Fluvoxamine
Fondaparinux
Foscarnet
Fosinopril
Fosphenytoin
Furosemide
Gefitinib
Gentamicin
Ginkgo
Givosiran
Glimepiride
Glipizide
Glyburide
Gossypol
Halcinonide
Halobetasol
Heparin
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrocortisone
Hydroflumethiazide
Ibrutinib
Ibuprofen
Imatinib
Imipramine
Indapamide
Indomethacin
Infigratinib
Inotersen
Iobenguane I 131
Isoniazid
Kanamycin
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ledipasvir
Lepirudin
Levomilnacipran
Lisdexamfetamine
Lisinopril
Lithium
Lofepramine
Lornoxicam
Loteprednol
Loxoprofen
Lumiracoxib
Macimorelin
Magnesium Salicylate
Meclofenamate
Medrysone
Mefenamic Acid
Melitracen
Meloxicam
Melphalan
Mesalamine
Metformin
Methazolamide
Methotrexate
Methyclothiazide
Methylprednisolone
Metolazone
Milnacipran
Moexipril
Mometasone
Morniflumate
Mycophenolate Mofetil
Mycophenolic Acid
Nabumetone
Nadroparin
Naproxen
Nateglinide
Nefazodone
Neomycin
Nepafenac
Neratinib
Netilmicin
Nicorandil
Niflumic Acid
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Nortriptyline
Octreotide
Olsalazine
Opipramol
Oxaprozin
Oxyphenbutazone
Paramethasone
Parecoxib
Parnaparin
Paromomycin
Paroxetine
Pazopanib
Pemetrexed
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Pentoxifylline
Perindopril
Phenindione
Phenprocoumon
Phenylbutazone
Phenyl Salicylate
Phenytoin
Piketoprofen
Piracetam
Piretanide
Piroxicam
Pixantrone
Plazomicin
Pneumococcal 13-Valent Vaccine, Diphtheria Conjugate
Polythiazide
Potassium Citrate
Pranoprofen
Prasugrel
Prednicarbate
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Protein C
Protriptyline
Quinapril
Quinethazone
Quinine
Raltegravir
Ramipril
Repaglinide
Reteplase, Recombinant
Reviparin
Rilpivirine
Rimexolone
Ritlecitinib
Rivaroxaban
Rofecoxib
Rosuvastatin
Salicylamide
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Selpercatinib
Selumetinib
Sertraline
Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
Sodium Salicylate
Sotorasib
Spectinomycin
Spirapril
Spironolactone
Streptomycin
Sulfasalazine
Sulindac
Sulodexide
Tacrolimus
Taurursodiol
Tenofovir Alafenamide
Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
Tenoxicam
Tianeptine
Tiaprofenic Acid
Ticagrelor
Ticlopidine
Tinzaparin
Tirofiban
Tobramycin
Tolazamide
Tolbutamide
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Torsemide
Trandolapril
Trazodone
Treprostinil
Triamcinolone
Triamterene
Trichlormethiazide
Trimipramine
Trolamine Salicylate
Turmeric
Upadacitinib
Valdecoxib
Valproic Acid
Vancomycin
Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
Venlafaxine
Vilazodone
Vismodegib
Vortioxetine
Warfarin
Xipamide
Zavegepant
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use your medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Ethanol
Tobacco
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Alcohol abuse or
Asthma, allergies, and nasal polyps (history of) or
Hepatitis or other liver disease or
Kidney disease—The chance of serious side effects may be increased.
Anemia or
Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems—Aspirin (present in some of these combination medicines) may make these conditions worse.
Gout—Aspirin (present in some of these combination medicines) can make this condition worse and can also lessen the effects of some medicines used to treat gout.
Heart disease—Caffeine (present in some of these combination medicines) can make your condition worse.
Hemophilia or other bleeding problems—Aspirin (present in some of these combination medicines) increases the chance of serious bleeding.
