ASA/ Acetaminophen + caffeine +/- codeine
Patient Counselling
Caffeine-containing products
o Example:
§ Excedrin Take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed (do not exceed 8 doses in 24 hours)
o Avoid in patients with hypertension or cardiovascular disease
o Avoid in patients withinsomnia
o Avoid if patient has generalized anxiety disorder or panic, agitation or tremor
o Do not use if hypersensitivity to caffeine
o Use with caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment
o Use with caution in patients with a history of peptic ulcer
o Use with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder (may lower seizure threshold)
o Common side effects include: excitability, flushing, dizziness, insomnia and agitation
o Report to physician: excessive excitability or nervousness, chest pain or shortness of breath
o May be taken with or without food
o Store in a cool dry place out of reach of children
o For counselling points on acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid please refer to the individual therapies
Codeine-containing products
o Example:
§ Tylenol #1: Take 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed up to a maximum of 12 tablets daily (maximum acetaminophen
dose is 4g/day)
o Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness. Do not driver or operate machinery
while taking this medication.
o Report: confusion, insomnia, excessive nervousness/sedation/drowsiness/shakiness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness or changes in vision
o Avoid use if hypersensitivity to codeine, significant respiration depression or acute or severe bronchial asthma
o Avoid use in acute alcoholism, seizure disorders, increased intracranial pressure, head injury or within 14 days of MAO inhibitors
o Caution in patients with: Addison’s disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, COPD orhypothyroidism
o May take with food to reduce nausea
o May cause physical or psychological dependence
o Caution patients against using alcohol which may induce respiratory depression
o May take a stimulant laxative such as sennosides if you experience constipation
o Store in a cool dry place out of reach of children
o For counselling points on acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid please refer to the individual therapies
o Example:
§ Excedrin Take 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed (do not exceed 8 doses in 24 hours)
o Avoid in patients with hypertension or cardiovascular disease
o Avoid in patients withinsomnia
o Avoid if patient has generalized anxiety disorder or panic, agitation or tremor
o Do not use if hypersensitivity to caffeine
o Use with caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment
o Use with caution in patients with a history of peptic ulcer
o Use with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder (may lower seizure threshold)
o Common side effects include: excitability, flushing, dizziness, insomnia and agitation
o Report to physician: excessive excitability or nervousness, chest pain or shortness of breath
o May be taken with or without food
o Store in a cool dry place out of reach of children
o For counselling points on acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid please refer to the individual therapies
Codeine-containing products
o Example:
§ Tylenol #1: Take 1 to 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed up to a maximum of 12 tablets daily (maximum acetaminophen
dose is 4g/day)
o Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness. Do not driver or operate machinery
while taking this medication.
o Report: confusion, insomnia, excessive nervousness/sedation/drowsiness/shakiness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness or changes in vision
o Avoid use if hypersensitivity to codeine, significant respiration depression or acute or severe bronchial asthma
o Avoid use in acute alcoholism, seizure disorders, increased intracranial pressure, head injury or within 14 days of MAO inhibitors
o Caution in patients with: Addison’s disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, COPD orhypothyroidism
o May take with food to reduce nausea
o May cause physical or psychological dependence
o Caution patients against using alcohol which may induce respiratory depression
o May take a stimulant laxative such as sennosides if you experience constipation
o Store in a cool dry place out of reach of children
o For counselling points on acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid please refer to the individual therapies