Advil vs. Excedrin Migraine for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Migraine: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Ibuprofen

Excedrin Migraine

Summary for Advil

Prescription or over-the-counter

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that's used to temporarily relieve fever, pains, and aches in adults and children. In general, ibuprofen is taken by mouth every 4 to 8 hours, though the dosage depends on your age, weight, and other medical problems. Ibuprofen side effects include nausea, heartburn, and stomach pain, but taking it with food might help prevent these side effects. Ibuprofen is available over the counter and by prescription, depending on the strength you need.

Indications for Advil

Over-the-counter ibuprofen:

Short-term relief of minor aches and pains due to headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, the common cold, or menstrual cramps
Fever

Prescription ibuprofen:

Mild-to-moderate pain
Pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA)
Pain from menstrual cramps

Pros and Cons for Advil

Pros

Works well for fever, pain, and swelling
Available over the counter and by prescription and as lower-cost generics
Available as tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and an oral liquid
Chewable tablets and liquid can be used in children

Cons

Lasts for only about 6 hours, so might need to take multiple doses throughout the day
Might not be the best option if you're 65 years or older or if you have kidney, heart, liver, or bleeding problems
Has risk of stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, and kidney problems
Shouldn't take other NSAIDs at the same time because of higher risk for side effects

Common Side Effects for Advil

The following side effects were reported in up to 9% of people in clinical studies.

Nausea
Stomach pain
Heartburn
Dizziness
Rash

Warnings for Advil

Stomach bleeding and ulcers
Heart attack and stroke
High blood pressure and heart failure
Kidney damage
Liver problems
Severe allergic reactions
Harm to unborn babies
Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - chewable tablets only

Summary for Excedrin Migraine

Over-the-counter

Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength are combination medications, both containing the same dosages of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. But they're labeled to treat different conditions. Excedrin Migraine treats migraines. But Excedrin Extra Strength is labeled to help with minor aches and pains, including headaches and muscle aches. How many tablets you can take per day depends on what product you're taking and what condition you have. Both medications are available over the counter (OTC) as tablets and caplets with brand name and generic versions. Possible side effects include trouble sleeping, dizziness, and upset stomach.

Indications for Excedrin Migraine

Migraine - Excedrin Migraine
Minor aches and pains (e.g., headache, arthritis, muscle aches, toothache, menstrual cramps, common cold) - Excedrin Extra Strength

Pros and Cons for Excedrin Migraine

Pros

Combines three medications into one pill for convenience
Works well to treat minor aches and pains
Works for some people in as little as 15 minutes
Available over the counter
Available as generic medications

Cons

Need to limit caffeine while taking it
Not recommended to take with other medications containing acetaminophen, since it can raise the risk of liver damage
Can't be used in children
Might not be safe to use while pregnant, especially after 20 weeks
Not appropriate for people allergic to NSAIDs