Excedrin Migraine: Dosages, Ingredients, Side Effects, and How To Take It
Key takeaways:
Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication for treating occasional migraine headaches.
Excedrin Migraine contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Studies show this combination works better for migraines than single-ingredient OTC medications.
You shouldn’t take more than 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets in a 24-hour period unless your prescriber OKs it. Talk to a healthcare professional if you need to take Excedrin Migraine more than 2 to 3 times per week.
Table of contents
Migraines are a common condition, affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide. Many migraine sufferers are never diagnosed or seek prescription treatments. Instead, many turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief. Here, we’ll review one of the most popular OTC medications for acute migraine relief: Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine).
What is Excedrin Migraine?
Excedrin Migraine is an OTC medication used to treat mild to moderate migraine headaches. It’s a combination of three different medications:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol): a medication that reduces pain signaling and sensitivity via the brain and spinal cord.
Aspirin: a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces both pain and inflammation (swelling).
Caffeine: a natural stimulant that boosts the pain-relieving effects of acetaminophen and aspirin. It also helps narrow blood vessels that become enlarged during a migraine, which also helps relieve pain.
Studies show this combination of medications is more effective for migraines than single-ingredient options.
Why was Excedrin Migraine temporarily discontinued in 2020?
In 2020, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the manufacturer of Excedrin, temporarily paused production of Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength. They did so as a precaution to resolve an inconsistency in how the ingredients were weighed.
But as of July 2020, GSK resumed production and products have been back on the shelves since then with no further issues.
How should you take Excedrin Migraine?
You should take Excedrin Migraine when migraine symptoms first begin. Adults can take 2 caplets with a glass of water in any 24-hour period. You shouldn’t take more than 2 caplets per day unless directed to by a healthcare professional — more on this later. Excedrin Migraine isn’t approved for children under age 18.
How effective is Excedrin Migraine?
In three studies, the combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine significantly reduced migraine pain compared to placebo (a pill with no medication in it). Excedrin Migraine typically starts relieving migraine pain within 30 minutes of taking it. After 2 hours, the combination medication reduced pain in almost 60% of people taking it. After 6 hours, almost 80% of people had less pain, and 50% were pain free.
Migraine attacks can last anywhere from hours to days, with symptoms and duration varying from person to person. If Excedrin Migraine isn’t working for you, or you’re taking it once a week or more, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional. A prescription treatment or prevention medication may be a better option for you.
What’s the difference between Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine?
Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine contain the same amounts of the same three ingredients. However, their labeling and recommended doses are different.
Excedrin Extra Strength is meant for minor aches and pains. This includes pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, muscle aches, or menstrual cramps. Adults and children ages 12 and older can take 2 caplets every 6 hours, with a maximum dose of 8 caplets in 24 hours.
Excedrin Migraine, on the other hand, is meant specifically for migraine-related pain and is only approved for adults. As mentioned, you shouldn’t take more than 2 caplets in 24 hours for migraine relief.
Good to know: Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength both contain aspirin, so they aren’t appropriate for children under age 12 (age 18 for Excedrin Migraine). This is because of the risk for Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness. It can occur if children take aspirin after a recent viral infection, such as chickenpox or the flu.
If they’re the same medication, why are the dosages different?
It may seem odd that you can only take 2 Excedrin Migraine caplets in a day, but up to 8 caplets of Excedrin Extra Strength — after all, they have the same ingredients.
Natural remedies: Prescription and over-the-counter treatments can be effective for migraine relief. But if you’re interested in giving natural and home remedies a try, check out this review from experts to see which ones might be worth a shot.
Real stories: When a migraine hits, it can affect your ability to work and do your normal day-to-day activities. Read about how three real people living with chronic migraines manage their symptoms every day.
Which is best: Both products can help provide migraine relief, but is one better than the other? Read about how Advil Migraine and Excedrin Migraine compare.
The dosage limit on Excedrin Migraine exists to help prevent rebound headaches. These can happen if you take pain relievers too often or at a higher dose than recommended. Often, rebound headaches can create a vicious cycle: headaches appear when the medicine wears off, which then prompts you to take more medication. Over time, this can lead to shorter periods of pain relief and recurrent, chronic headaches.
In addition to limiting Excedrin Migraine to 2 caplets per day, it’s also best to avoid taking it more than 2 to 3 times per week or more than 10 times per month. This can also help prevent rebound headaches.
What are the side effects of Excedrin Migraine?
Some common side effects of Excedrin Migraine include:
Upset stomach
Trouble sleeping
Heartburn
These side effects are usually mild and typically go away once you stop taking the medication. Taking Excedrin Migraine with food may also help reduce side effects. And it’s a good idea to avoid taking it too close to bedtime, since caffeine may keep you awake.
Excedrin Migraine contains a similar amount of caffeine (130 mg in 2 tablets) to a cup of coffee. Too much caffeine can cause nervousness, irritability, and trouble sleeping. So you may want to reduce your caffeine intake from other sources while taking this medication.
Are there any serious Excedrin Migraine side effects?
More serious side effects of Excedrin Migraine include:
Severe skin and/or allergic reactions. Acetaminophen and aspirin can sometimes cause severe skin and/or allergic reactions. Avoid taking this medication if you are allergic to either ingredient. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop hives, facial swelling, or have trouble breathing.
Increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin, like other NSAIDs, can increase the risk of bleeding. Stop the medication and seek emergency care if you notice bloody or black stools, severe stomach pain, or if you’re vomiting blood.
Liver damage. Acetaminophen can be harmful to your liver. It’s best to avoid additional acetaminophen products or consume alcohol while taking this medication. Contact your healthcare team if you notice dark colored urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or unexplained stomach pain.
Ringing in the ears or hearing loss. Aspirin (and other NSAIDs) may cause this side effect — especially if you take too much. It usually goes away when you stop taking the medication.
These serious side effects are more likely if you take too much Excedrin Migraine, or if you combine it with other medications that contain the same ingredients. Be sure to check the label of other OTC products you’re taking, such as upset stomach or cough and cold medications, to avoid taking more of an ingredient than intended.
What are some alternatives to Excedrin Migraine?
There are several other migraine treatment options, including:
Individual NSAIDs, such naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). You can read a comparison of Excedrin Migraine and Advil Migraine here.
Acetaminophen may be an option if you’re unable to take NSAIDs. For example, Excedrin Tension Headache contains acetaminophen and caffeine.
Natural remedies, such as magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, or CBD (cannabidiol).
Prescription medications, such as triptans
Your healthcare team can recommend the best treatment option based on your medical history and the other medications you’re taking.
How to save on Excedrin Migraine
There are ways to save on Excedrin Migraine, which is available as both a brand-name and generic or store-brand medication.
If you have your prescriber write a prescription for OTC Excedrin Migraine, you can pay as little as $3.32 on the generic version with a free GoodRx discount.
You can also use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to purchase Excedrin Migraine and reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
Frequently asked questions
Gluten isn’t listed as an active or inactive ingredient of Excedrin Migraine. So it’s likely fine to take if you’re sensitive to gluten. Formulations can change from time to time, and may differ between brand-name and generic or store-brand products. So it’s best to read the product label to make sure the ingredients are safe for you.
It’s best to avoid taking Excedrin Migraine while pregnant unless your pregnancy care team tells you otherwise. Aspirin and caffeine both have risks to consider when it comes to a growing fetus. In some cases, the benefits outweigh the risks. But this isn’t something you should decide on your own without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
In most cases, you should wait until it’s time for your next Tylenol dose before taking Excidrin Migraine instead. For example, you can take Extra-Strength Tylenol every 6 hours. So it’s best to wait 6 hours after your last dose before taking Excedrin Migraine. Keep in mind that you should take Excidrin Migraine instead of taking another dose of Tylenol. You shouldn’t combine the two medications.
The bottom line
Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine) is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication for occasional migraine headaches. Studies show the combination of ingredients in Excedrin Migraine works better than single-ingredient OTC medications.
You shouldn’t take more than 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets in a 24-hour period unless your prescriber OKs it. Talk to a healthcare professional if you need to take it more than 2 to 3 times a week. And avoid taking other OTC medications with it that contain the same ingredients.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Migraine Foundation. (2020). Production of Excedrin Migraine discontinued until further notice.
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Diener, H. C., et al. (2005). The fixed combination of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine is more effective than single substances and dual combination for the treatment of headache: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, single-dose, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Cephalalgia.
Dong, L., et al. (2024). The global burden of migraine: A 30-year trend review and future projections by age, sex, country, and region. Pain and Therapy.
Haleon US Holdings. (2024). Excedrin Extra Strength Pain Reliever acetaminophen, aspirin- nsaid, and caffeine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Haleon US Holdings. (2024). Excedrin Tension Headache- acetaminophen, caffeine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Haleon US Holdings. (2025). Excedrin Migraine Relief acetaminophen, aspirin- nsaid, caffeine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Hoshino, T., et al. (2010). Effects of NSAIDs on the inner ear: Possible involvement in cochlear protection. Pharmaceuticals.
Lavigne, S. (2023). The headache of dealing with a migraine during pregnancy. MotherToBaby.
Lipton, R. B., et al. (1998). Efficacy and safety of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine in alleviating migraine headache pain: Three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. JAMA Neurology.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (2022). Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Migraine. National Institutes of Health.
Puledda, F., et al. (2024). International Headache Society global practice recommendations for the acute pharmacological treatment of migraine. Cephalalgia.
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