How Much Is Too Much Excedrin Migraine? (MWS Day 2)

These are answers to key questions. This is not affiliared with Migraine World Summit or the lecturer! We highly encourage you to visit https://migraineworldsummit.com for the full video!

Key Questions for Paul G. Mathew, MD on the Topic of How Much Is Too Much Excedrin Migraine?

(Migraine World Summit - Day 2)

Here is an interesting fact from the video (watch the video for more!):

For pregnant patients, Dr. Mathew will switch them to sumatriptan regardless of whether it was effective for them before, because it has large pregnancy registry safety data. This underscores how treatment choices must be modified based on a patient's specific circumstances and risk factors.

Key Questions:

What is Excedrin Migraine?

Excedrin Migraine is a combination tablet that contains caffeine, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin. It's considered a combination analgesic medication.

Why does it contain caffeine?

Caffeine is included because it can help "cut through a headache", though it also carries the risk of medication overuse or rebound headaches from the caffeine withdrawal effects.

Is Excedrin Migraine an effective treatment for headaches?

There is some data showing the individual ingredients like aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine are effective for treating headaches, which is why they are combined in Excedrin Migraine.

Can Excedrin Migraine play a role in addressing migraine attacks for certain patients?

Dr. Mathew typically does not recommend Excedrin Migraine for his migraine patients, as there are more migraine-specific options available that don't carry the same risk of medication adaptation headache.

What are the potential side effects and risks associated with Excedrin Migraine and other OTC headache medications?

Potential risks include medication overuse/rebound headaches, gastritis, bleeding ulcers, kidney issues from NSAIDs like aspirin, and liver issues from acetaminophen with excessive use.

Can these products sometimes make headaches worse?

Yes, excessive use of products like Excedrin can lead to a cycle of medication adaptation headache.

What are the risks with long-term excessive NSAID/OTC use?

Long-term excessive use of NSAIDs risks kidney damage, and excessive acetaminophen use risks liver damage.

What alternatives are available for those who find relief only from Excedrin Migraine?

Dr. Mathew suggests using prescription migraine-specific medications like triptans, gepants, NSAIDs in limited doses, and anti-nausea medications instead.

Can Excedrin Migraine be purchased outside the U.S.?

Yes, similar combination products containing caffeine, aspirin/NSAIDs, and acetaminophen appear to be available globally under different brand names.

Who should avoid Excedrin Migraine?

Those with liver disease, kidney disease, sleep disorders, and pregnant women should avoid Excedrin Migraine, according to Dr. Mathew.