My friend takes two Excedine every morning. She says she will get a headache if she doesn't take them. Since they're over the counter they're safe? I told her to see her doctor. What do you think?
2006-12-02 07:21:59 · 10 answers · asked by bibliobethica 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
She developed a tendency of an addiction towards aspirin. Moderation is key here. Tell her to reduce her doses, if that don't work, take her to a doctor.
2006-12-02 07:26:01 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Excedrin is a curious produce that I am surprised is still available let alone in use but the market sells what people will buy and it is heavily advertised. To me an Excedrin is 1/2 of an aspirin 1/2 of a Tylenol and 1/2 the caffeine of a cup of coffee. If your friend is only taking 2 Excedrin in the morning skipping it should not produce a headache and if she gets a headache it is likely that she is consuming too many Excedrin or too much caffeine during the day. Although I appreciate your concern for your friend two Excedrin every morning is not likely to cause any harm and suggesting otherwise may harm your friendship.
2006-12-02 15:27:05 · answer #2 · answered by john e russo md facm faafp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excedrin is fine. She probably is getting the headache because the Excedrin has caffeine in it which enhances the aspirin. She would get the same effect drinking a cup of coffee with aspirin. If she's taking this with food, she's really keeping her arteries in great shape and preventing plaque build up. Aspirin is a great drug. It can cause GI irritation and you can't take a huge amount of it, but it is an anti-inflammatory. I knew a cardiologist who use to say had aspirin been found in the 21st. century, it would be the "miracle drug" and we'd be paying $5.00 a pill for it. I have to agree with him on that one. All things in moderation. Godlovea for your concern for your friend.
2006-12-02 17:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Sassy OLD Broad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excedrin contains caffeine -- just like coffee or cola drinks. That's why she gets a headache when she doesn't take them. She should ask her doctor if she should take them all the time.
If she wants to stop taking them, she will probably have headaches for a few days while she is going thru caffeine withdrawal. then she will be fine.
2006-12-02 18:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by Marilyn E 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Excedrin isn't aspirin (it's Tylenol and caffeine).
It's relatively safe.
It sounds like your friend might have migraines. There is stronger and better medicine she could be getting from her doctor to treat migraines. Excedrin might be working for her, though. I'm not an expert, so if I were her, I'd do more research on it mysefl.
2006-12-02 15:35:56 · answer #5 · answered by Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nononono! That is absolutely NOT safe. She can cause damage to her liver and stuff if she does that. And actually, she may be getting headaches when she doesn't take excedrin as a form of excedrin withdrawal. Your body gets so used to the medicine that when it doesn't get it, you get headaches. You're right, she needs to go to the doctor so that s/he can evaluate her.
2006-12-02 15:25:42 · answer #6 · answered by Casey 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are right, she needs to see the doctor and determine the cause for the headaches. Also, daily use of an aspirin containing medicine can cause stomach irritaion, and possibly bleeding in the G.I. tract. So, keep encouraging her to go to doc, volunteer to go with her.
2006-12-02 15:26:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ecotrin 81 mg/tablet is designed to be taken every day to prevent clotting. All other analgesics should be taken only occasionally.
2006-12-02 15:59:13 · answer #8 · answered by JOHN M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't eat aspirin everyday unless the directions on the aspirin say to do so.
2006-12-02 15:29:33 · answer #9 · answered by John R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not a good idea. she is getting the headache because she is taking them. she should seek medical advice.
2006-12-02 15:24:58 · answer #10 · answered by cigar92 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋