Can you take Excedrin while pregnant?

Can you take Excedrin while pregnant? This is what this article seeks to answer. Excedrin is an over-the-counter pain relief medication that is mostly used to relieve migraine headache pain. For pregnant women, one annoying symptom that they have to deal with is headaches and so some resort to taking migraine or headache medication.

One common migraine relief medication is Excedrin. The safety of the baby is the highest priority of a pregnant woman and so caution is taken when taking drugs.

In this article, you will get to know if you can take Excedrin while pregnant. Make sure to stick around to the end of this article.

Excedrin

This is a medication that contains caffeine, acetaminophen, and aspirin. It is employed to temporarily relieve discomfort from ailments like headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, and muscle pains (including migraines).

In order to reduce pain, aspirin and acetaminophen prevent your body from producing several natural molecules. The effects of acetaminophen and aspirin are enhanced by caffeine.

Let’s take a look at the 3 different contained in Excedrin in detail.

Caffeine

Caffeine does not relieve pain. Instead, it acts as a vasoconstrictor. As a result, blood vessels become smaller. Caffeine in Excedrin Migraine helps to constrict the blood vessels in your brain. As a result, the volume of blood that may pass through the blood vessels at once is reduced.

By widening blood vessels, which causes headaches, this treatment helps prevent them. When a headache results from caffeine withdrawal, caffeine also helps to alleviate it.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and painkiller. Its precise mechanism is unknown. We do know that it mostly affects the brain and spinal cord, which are parts of the central nervous system.

By lowering the number of prostaglandins your body produces, acetaminophen raises the threshold for pain. A molecule associated with pain is called prostaglandin.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). It lessens irritation and swelling as well as discomfort and inflammation. Similar to how acetaminophen does, aspirin likewise decreases the quantity of prostaglandins the body generates.

Dosage and forms

You ingest the caplet form of Excedrin Migraine. Each caplet has 65 mg of caffeine, 250 mg of aspirin, and 250 mg of acetaminophen. The dosage is provided below each age group. This dosing information is also printed on the product’s package.

Children and teenagers under the age of 18

Before providing your child Excedrin Migraine, consult with the doctor. You should be extremely cautious when providing Excedrin Migraine to kids and teenagers because it contains aspirin. This is due to the association between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome, a rare but deadly disease.

Never provide aspirin-containing goods to children under the age of 12. Additionally, avoid giving aspirin to teenagers who are recovering from a viral illness like the flu or chicken pox.

Adult individuals older than 18

With a glass of water, take two caplets. Two caplets are the maximum dosage for any 24-hour period.

Side effects of Excedrin

The three medications in Excedrin Migraine each have potential adverse effects. As your body adjusts to the drug, some side effects can disappear.

However, call your doctor if any of the typical side effects bother you or don’t go away. Additionally, call your doctor or 9-1-1 without delay if you have any significant side effects.

Common side effects

The caffeine in Excedrin Migraine may be to blame for some of its more prevalent adverse effects. These negative impacts may consist of:

• irritability
• anxiety
• difficulty in sleeping
• faster heartbeat

Serious side effects

Acetaminophen and aspirin, two of Excedrin Migraine’s harmful side effects, may be to blame. These negative impacts may consist of:

An allergic reaction, which also includes symptoms such as

• rash
• itchy, red blisters on the skin
• breathing difficulties

Bleeding in the stomach, with symptoms such as:

• vomiting blood,
• an upset stomach that does not improve fast
• bloody or black and tarry stools

Can you take Excedrin while pregnant?

Now to the main section of this article. Can you take Excedrin while pregnant? Well, it is not safe to take Excedrin while pregnant especially when you are in your third trimester. This is due to the aspirin in this drug, which may harm your unborn child or raise your chance of labor difficulties.

Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, a rare congenital heart problem, and heavy blood loss after delivery are made more likely by taking Excedrin Migraine or other aspirin-containing drugs in your third trimester, endangering both you and your unborn child.

Since Excedrin Migraine contains full-dose aspirin, you should speak with your doctor before taking it during your first two trimesters as well.

• It is advised that you restrict the amount and duration if full-dose aspirin must be used during this period.
• The use of full-dose aspirin for longer than 48 hours is associated with an increased risk of fetal injury, including kidney difficulties and a lower-than-normal quantity of amniotic fluid, therefore if you are using Excedrin Migraine, your doctor may suggest that your amniotic fluid be monitored.
• It is advised to avoid using full-dose aspirin beyond the 20th week of pregnancy, even if low-dose aspirin is thought to be safe during pregnancy.

Acetaminophen, which is thought to be safe to consume while pregnant, is also a component in Excedrin Migraine.

Additionally, it has caffeine.

• The recommended Excedrin Migraine dosage of 2 tablets contains 130 mg of caffeine, the same amount as one 8-ounce cup of coffee.
• Because coffee is a stimulant, it boosts blood pressure and gets to your unborn child through the placenta.
• Many medical professionals advise keeping caffeine use to 200 mg per day because it is unclear how it impacts your developing baby.

Throughout the duration of your pregnancy, make sure to talk to your doctor before taking Excedrin Migraine or any other drug that contains aspirin or caffeine.

Summary

During the first two trimesters of pregnancy, inquire with your doctor about the safety of taking Excedrin Migraine.

Using Excedrin Migraine throughout your third and final trimester of pregnancy is not advised since it could harm your unborn child. This is due to the aspirin in Excedrin Migraine. Regular-strength aspirin use frequently during the third trimester can result in a significant cardiac birth problem in your unborn child.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can you take Excedrin with alcohol?

Acetaminophen can be found in Excedrin products. If you use these products and consume three or more alcoholic beverages daily, severe liver damage could result. Aspirin, an NSAID that can seriously induce gastrointestinal bleeding, is also present in the majority of Excedrin formulations. If you use these products and consume three or more alcoholic beverages each day, your risk increases.

Is Excedrin Migraine safe for children?

For those under the age of 18, Excedrin Migraine is not advised.

Can Excedrin interact with other drugs?

Drug interactions could occur if you take Excedrin Migraine along with other medications. Excedrin Migraine or your other drugs may have an increased or decreased effect due to interactions. Your risk of experiencing negative consequences may also increase.

Before taking Excedrin, be sure to see your doctor if you are taking any other medications.