Generic Name: acetaminophen and aspirin (a seet oh MIN oh fen and AS prin)
Brand Names: Excedrin Back & Body
What is Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
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 is the most important information I should know about Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
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.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin, or if you are using any other products that contain acetaminophen. 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. This medicine 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.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:
liver disease or a history of alcoholism;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
asthma;
a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding; or
stomach ulcer or history of heartburn or ongoing indigestion or stomach pain.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Aspirin can cause harm to an unborn baby or problems with delivery if you take the medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Acetaminophen and aspirin may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of aspirin can damage your liver, kidneys, lungs, and other organs. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours unless your doctor has told you to.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acetaminophen and aspirin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since acetaminophen and aspirin is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of this medication can cause serious harm.
Aspirin overdose can cause ringing in your ears, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, increased sweating, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
What should I avoid while taking Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding or liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen and aspirin. Ask a doctor before taking acetaminophen if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day. 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 of a certain drug, which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, acetaminophen, or APAP.
Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin) side effects
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 other drugs will affect Excedrin Back & Body (acetaminophen and aspirin)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
medications for treating diabetes;
gout medications such as probenecid (Benemid);
another salicylate such as choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid); or
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with acetaminophen and aspirin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Excedrin Back & Body resources
- Excedrin Back & Body Side Effects (in more detail)
- Excedrin Back & Body Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Excedrin Back & Body Drug Interactions
- Excedrin Back & Body Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Excedrin Back & Body - Add your own review/rating
Compare Excedrin Back & Body with other medications
- Back Pain
- Pain
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about acetaminophen and aspirin.
See also: Excedrin Back & Body side effects (in more detail)
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