Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs There a Difference?UsesWarningsDosageSide EffectsAlternative Options
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is There a Difference?
Uses
Warnings
Dosage
Side Effects
Alternative Options
Excedrin is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving medication brand with two popular formulations: Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength. Both brands contain the same active ingredients: acetaminophen, aspirin, andcaffeine. However, they are marketed to serve different purposes.
Excedrin Migraine is meant to relieve pain associated with headaches and migraines. Excedrin Extra Strength is more versatile and is generally used to relieve minor aches and pains related to various causes. For this reason, their labeling and dosing recommendations are different. Excedrin Migraine’s dosing is limited to prevent medication overuse headaches.
This article discusses the differences and similarities between Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength, including uses, warnings, and dosage recommendations.
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Differences Between Excedrin Migraine and Extra Strength
The primary differences between Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength are their intended uses, precautions, and dosing recommendations.
Excedrin Migraine is a combination medication that is formulated and marketed to relieve migraines and headaches.Excedrin Extra Strength is marketed for a more versatile use. It’s commonly used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains related to:
Both medications contain the same combination of three active ingredients. One caplet contains:
Given their identical formulation, they may seem like the same medication on the surface. However, there are a few differences between the two. These include their intended uses, certain warnings, and the dosing considerations.
Excedrin Migraine is marketed specifically for the relief of migraine headaches, which is reflected on the label. Per the medication label, only people age 18 and up should take this medication. For those under 18, a healthcare provider should be consulted before use.
Excedrin Extra Strength, on the other hand, has a more broadly marketed use. It is marketed to relieve various types of pain. The labeling provides broader indications for pain relief, not explicitly limited to migraines.
Since Excedrin Migraine is targeted for migraine-related pain, the labeling has slightly different warnings than Excedrin Extra Strength.
This includes the warnings listed on the label, which would only apply if using the medication for migraines. For instance, the labeling warns against taking Excedrin Migraine for over 10 days per month, as it may causemedication overuse headache(MOH). It also has different dosing instructions on the label.
Excedrin Extra Strength has warnings and labeling tailored to individuals who are taking the medication for pain. The label provides more generalized dosing instructions for individuals experiencing different types of pain.
More About Medication Overuse Headache
To prevent MOH, limit the use of headache medications and follow the instructions listed on each package or label of medication.
Differences in Dosage
The frequency and dosages are different for Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength. It is important to note these differences to ensure you take the proper dose.
While Excedrin Migraine has a maximum amount of two caplets a day, Excedrin Extra Strength has a maximum amount of eight caplets a day.
There is a stricter dosage limit on Excedrin Migraine to prevent MOH. This strict dosage limit is to ensure that users do not overuse the medication, which can potentially lead to a worsening condition.
What Are the Side Effects?
Since Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength contain the same ingredients in the same strengths, there are similar potential side effects with taking either medication.
Side effects range from mild to severe and are due to the combination of ingredients acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
Side effects will depend on your dosage, how long you take the medication, and your sensitivity to the medication.
Side effects that you can potentially experience when taking Excedrin Migraine or Excedrin Extra Strength include:
Severe Side Effects
Additionally, there are more severe—even life-threatening—side effects when taking this medication. A medical professional should be consulted right away if any of these are suspected or occur:
What Is Reye’s Syndrome?
Reye’s syndrome is a condition that affects the brain and the liver. Symptoms of Reye’s syndrome range from personality changes to vomiting and seizures. It is typically seen in children who are recovering from a viral illness and who have taken aspirin.
For those seeking alternatives to Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength, there are several OTC options and other remedies available that can provide relief for migraines and other types of pain.
Discuss the side effects and benefits with a healthcare provider before trying any new drugs or routines, including the following migraine and pain options:
Summary
Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength are designed to ease pain, but they are targeted to treat different types of ailments.
Excedrin Migraine is marketed mainly for migraine relief, with strict dosing to prevent medication overuse headaches. Excedrin Extra Strength, on the other hand, can be used for a broader range of pain, including toothaches and arthritis.
Individuals should adhere to the recommended dosages listed on each product’s label to prevent health risks. By understanding the uses, benefits, and side effects associated with Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength, you can make an informed decision to manage pain effectively and minimize any potential health complications.
The author would like to thank and acknowledge Sakina Yasmin Naqvi for contributing to this article.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Excedrin Migraine.DailyMed.Excedrin Extra Strength.Kebede YT, Mohammed BD, Tamene BA, et al.Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies.Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2023;4:1194134. doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1194134Matsumoto K, Hasegawa S, Nakao S, et al.Assessment of Reye’s syndrome profile with data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases using the disproportionality analysis.SAGE Open Med. 2020;8:2050312120974176. doi:10.1177/2050312120974176Yang CP, Liang CS, Chang CM, et al.Comparison of new pharmacologic agents with triptans for treatment of migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128544. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28544
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Excedrin Migraine.DailyMed.Excedrin Extra Strength.Kebede YT, Mohammed BD, Tamene BA, et al.Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies.Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2023;4:1194134. doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1194134Matsumoto K, Hasegawa S, Nakao S, et al.Assessment of Reye’s syndrome profile with data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases using the disproportionality analysis.SAGE Open Med. 2020;8:2050312120974176. doi:10.1177/2050312120974176Yang CP, Liang CS, Chang CM, et al.Comparison of new pharmacologic agents with triptans for treatment of migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128544. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28544
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DailyMed.Excedrin Migraine.DailyMed.Excedrin Extra Strength.Kebede YT, Mohammed BD, Tamene BA, et al.Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies.Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2023;4:1194134. doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1194134Matsumoto K, Hasegawa S, Nakao S, et al.Assessment of Reye’s syndrome profile with data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases using the disproportionality analysis.SAGE Open Med. 2020;8:2050312120974176. doi:10.1177/2050312120974176Yang CP, Liang CS, Chang CM, et al.Comparison of new pharmacologic agents with triptans for treatment of migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128544. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28544
DailyMed.Excedrin Migraine.
DailyMed.Excedrin Extra Strength.
Kebede YT, Mohammed BD, Tamene BA, et al.Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies.Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2023;4:1194134. doi:10.3389/fpain.2023.1194134
Matsumoto K, Hasegawa S, Nakao S, et al.Assessment of Reye’s syndrome profile with data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report databases using the disproportionality analysis.SAGE Open Med. 2020;8:2050312120974176. doi:10.1177/2050312120974176
Yang CP, Liang CS, Chang CM, et al.Comparison of new pharmacologic agents with triptans for treatment of migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128544. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28544
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