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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Excedrin Effective For Headaches Caused By Migraine?

I was just going to comment on Excedrin round pill form. I ve taken the Excedrin round pill form since 1966 for migraines. When someone would accidentally get the caplet form I had them taken back because they never worked for anything, even back then. At that time, the pharm said the caplet form was easier on the stomach and were the same. They were not the same then and not the same now. I took 2 tablets every 4 hours for days until I could get rid of my headaches. Also asked my doctors for years if my migraines might be hormonal and they said yes they could be but they never did anything about it. I kept logs every month and I could almost tell you when I would get my next migraine. What did I know, they were the doctors. I went to more than one about the subject. So after taking nerve pills in high school and breaking up with my boyfriend because he caused me too much stress and then taking over 100 allergy tests, I finally gave up and just took the Excedrin round tablets again. I also tried drops under the tongue and allergy shots. None of them worked. Fast forward to 2001: I had to have a complete hysterectomy and after a couple of months I realized I wasn t getting any more migraines!!! I still get sinus headaches and other kinds but I don t get any migraines anymore!! At that time we had been paying about $12.00/bottle of the round tablets. When you have a 2-3-4 day migraine you will pay anything to get it to stop. I always made sure I ate food with them otherwise I would vomit them up and have to start all over. Fast forward to 2014: I will be 62 this year and from time to time I do get other type of headaches but haven t found a tablet that works. My husband purchased some Walmart brand that were to be exactly like the old Excedrin but these say (NSAIDS) on the box. When I take them my hands itch then I itch all over and they upset my stomach etc. I really need to make a change but what is the answer? SOON. I need to take something while I m waiting or my hip and knee replacement. First hip replacement in 6 wks. I will also need to take something after surgery when they take the pain pills away because I have bad Fibromyalgia. I need something exactly like my old Excedrin in the round tablet pill form. No long caplets for me. I hope I haven t hurt my kidneys or liver for taking these the last few months. Any suggestions? Note: I married that boy they made me breakup with because they thought he was making me get migraines! We have been together for 45 yrs and married for 40 yrs. So girls, if you track your hormonal changes and there is a pattern to when you get your migraines, ask for a complete hysterectomy if you are done having children. Best thing I ever did for myself.
Thu, 29 Nov 2018
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Neurologist 's  Response
Hello,

Regarding your main query title on whether Excedrin is effective for a migraine and headaches in general, the answer is yes, it is its main purpose.

However from what I see your issue is with the change in caplet size. That I am afraid is not something which can be solved on this site, if the manufacturer has changed its forms there is not much we can do.

If the ingredients and doses are the same in the long caplets, and it's the same manufacturer then their efficacy should be the same, I don't see why they shouldn't work.

If it's the Walmart brand you're unhappy with, then stick with Excedrin brand. As for fibromyalgia pain you mention Excedrin is not that suited, medication with antidepressants like duloxetine would be more appropriate.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist
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Are Excedrin Effective For Headaches Caused By Migraine?

Hello, Regarding your main query title on whether Excedrin is effective for a migraine and headaches in general, the answer is yes, it is its main purpose. However from what I see your issue is with the change in caplet size. That I am afraid is not something which can be solved on this site, if the manufacturer has changed its forms there is not much we can do. If the ingredients and doses are the same in the long caplets, and it s the same manufacturer then their efficacy should be the same, I don t see why they shouldn t work. If it s the Walmart brand you re unhappy with, then stick with Excedrin brand. As for fibromyalgia pain you mention Excedrin is not that suited, medication with antidepressants like duloxetine would be more appropriate. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist