Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Excedrin Back & Body

Generic Name: acetaminophen and aspirin (Pronunciation: a seet oh MIN oh fen and AS prin)

• What is acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• How should I take acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What happens if I overdose (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

The combination of acetaminophen and aspirin is used to treat minor arthritis pain, back pain, and muscle aches.

Acetaminophen and aspirin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using acetaminophen and aspirin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• fever lasting longer than 3 days;
• swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days;
• redness, swelling, or other signs of infection; or
• hearing loss.

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, heartburn;
• drowsiness; or
• ringing in your ears.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and aspirin (Excedrin Back & Body)?

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. Taking too much aspirin or acetaminophen can cause serious harm. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Do not take this medication without a doctor's advice if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis) or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. You may not be able to take medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") and aspirin are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, acetaminophen, or APAP.

Acetaminophen and aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding or liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen and aspirin.

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