Acetaminophen/Aspirin/Caffeine

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A commercial combination preparation by Novartis containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine with analgesic activity. Acetaminophen exerts antipyretic and analgesic activities by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis while aspirin, a salicylate, inhibits cyclooxygenases (COX) with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and causes constriction of dilated cerebral blood vessels. Excedrin is used for the relief and treatment of migraine and tension headaches.

**Synonyms:** - Excedrin