What is aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing
substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to
improve blood flow.
Dihydrocodeine is related to codeine. It is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.
The combination of aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine is used to treat moderate to severe
pain.
Aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child
also has flu symptoms or chicken pox.
Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal
condition called Reye's syndrome in children.
Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take aspirin,
caffeine, and dihydrocodeine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, caffeine, or dihydrocodeine, or if
you have:
-
porphyria;
-
stomach ulcer;
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
-
an allergy to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen,
Feldene, and others.
Before taking aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine, tell your doctor if you
have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person
this medicine was prescribed for
. This medication should never be given to another person,
especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure
place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. Aspirin may be harmful to an unborn baby's heart, and may
also reduce birth weight or have other dangerous effects. Dihydrocodeine could cause addiction or
withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medicine during pregnancy. Do not take
aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
Dihydrocodeine may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing infant. Do
not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
How should I take aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger amounts, or
use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Take with food or milk to ease stomach upset.
You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using aspirin, caffeine, and
dihydrocodeine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using this medication suddenly
without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using aspirin,
caffeine, and dihydrocodeine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many capsules have been used from each new bottle of this medicine.
Dihydrocodeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this
medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Since aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing
schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled
dose.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Your pharmacist has information about aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
shallow breathing, slow heart rate;
-
fast or pounding heart rate, muscle twitching;
-
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
feeling dizzy, shaky, anxious, or agitated;
-
heartburn, mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach,
constipation, diarrhea;
-
itching or rash;
-
mood changes, sleep problems (insomnia);
-
sweating, urinating more than usual;
-
ringing in your ears; or
-
dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take aspirin,
caffeine, and dihydrocodeine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child
also has flu symptoms or chicken pox.
Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal
condition called Reye's syndrome in children.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, caffeine, or dihydrocodeine, or if
you have porphyria, a stomach ulcer, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or if you are allergic to any
NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, flu, or pain medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a
certain drug.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of
stomach bleeding while you are taking aspirin.
Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person
this medicine was prescribed for
. This medication should never be given to another person,
especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure
place where others cannot get to it.
What should I avoid while taking aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, flu, or pain medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin and caffeine are contained in many medicines available over the counter.
If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the
label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin or caffeine.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol may increase your risk of
stomach bleeding while you are taking aspirin.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without
your doctor's advice.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
antidepressants, or seizure medication can add to sleepiness caused by dihydrocodeine, or could slow
your breathing. Tell your doctor if you need to use any of these other medicines while you are taking
aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine.
What other drugs will affect aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
another salicylate such as choline salicylate and/or
magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin,
Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine?