Analgesic combinations

What are Analgesic combinations?

Analgesic combinations contain at least one analgesic in combination with another medicine or medicines. An analgesic is the name given to a medicine that relieves pain without putting you to sleep or making you lose consciousness. Analgesics may also be known as painkillers or pain relievers.

If an analgesic combination product contains two analgesics, these generally have different ways of working to relieve pain.

Analgesic combination products tend to either have acetaminophen, an NSAID (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or an opioid (such as codeine) as one of their ingredients.

What are analgesic combinations used for?

Analgesic combinations may be taken to relieve pain that arises from a wide range of conditions, such as:

  • appendicitis
  • cancer
  • congenital conditions such as curvature of the spine
  • fibromyalgia
  • gallbladder disease
  • gastrointestinal disorders
  • headaches
  • heart disease
  • improper lifting techniques or poor posture
  • infection
  • menstruation
  • migraines
  • multiple sclerosis
  • nerve damage
  • osteoarthritis
  • pain syndromes
  • poor posture
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • sprains
  • strains
  • surgery
  • trauma
  • toothache
  • wound cleansing and debridement.

It is important to note that not all analgesic combinations are appropriate for all these conditions.

What are the differences between the different analgesic combinations?

Analgesic combinations differ in the ingredients they contain which means there are vast differences in the way they work, their potency, (how strong they are), and in the way they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted within the body.

Some analgesic combinations contain NSAIDs, whereas others contain opioids (narcotics). Other ingredients may include caffeine, which enhances the pain-relieving effect of an analgesic, and diphenhydramine, which is used for its sleep-inducing properties.

Analgesic combinations that contain opioids should only be used if other analgesics or analgesic combinations have proved ineffective as they are potentially addictive.

Common Analgesic combinations available in the U.S.

Generic name Brand name examples
acetaminophen + aspirin Generic
acetaminophen + aspirin + caffeine Arthriten, Excedrin, Goody's Extra-Strength
acetaminophen + butalbital Allzital, Bupap
acetaminophen + butalbital + caffeine Capacet, Fioricet
acetaminophen + caffeine Excedrin Quick Tab, Excedrin Tension Headache
acetaminophen +caffeine + isometheptene mucate Discontinued
Acetaminophen + caffeine + magnesium salicylate Generic
Acetaminophen + diphenhydramine Midol PM
acetaminophen + phenyltoloxamine CR Discontinued
aspirin + butalbital + caffeine Fiorinal
codeine + acetaminophen Generic
codeine + acetaminophen + butalbital + caffeine Fioricet with codeine
codeine + aspirin + butalbital + caffeine Ascomp with codeine, Fiorinal with codeine
dihydrocodeine + acetaminophen + caffeine Trezix
hydrocodone + acetaminophen Generic
hydrocodone + ibuprofen Generic
ibuprofen + diphenhydramine Advil PM
naproxen + diphenhydramine Aleve PM, Excedrin PM, Tylenol PM
oxycodone + acetaminophen Nalocet, Primlev
tramadol + acetaminophen Ultracet

Are analgesic combinations safe?

Most analgesic combinations are considered safe when taken for short periods of time and exactly as directed on the packaging or by a doctor. Some analgesic combinations, such as those containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may be considered safer than others.

Narcotic analgesic combinations have been associated with some serious risks such as respiratory depression (unusually slow and shallow breathing), opioid-use disorder, and potentially fatal overdose. They are potentially addictive and should only be used for certain conditions and under strict monitoring.

What are the side effects of analgesic combinations?

All medicines have side effects but how vulnerable a person is to them depends on several different factors such as age, genetics, kidney function and gender (see Managing Common Drug Side Effects)

Narcotic analgesic combinations have many side effects, although people with cancer or a terminal illness taking narcotic analgesic combinations for long periods of time may become tolerant to some of these side effects.

Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are common with most narcotic analgesic combinations. These side effects may affect driving or a person's ability to operate machinery and perform other hazardous tasks. Alcohol may potentiate these effects

Combination analgesics containing NSAIDs may also cause side effects, especially when used at higher than recommended dosages for long periods of time. Gastrointestinal side effects that may occur include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritation of the lining of the stomach, nausea or vomiting. Combination products containing NSAIDs may also affect kidney function and reduce how quickly blood flows through the kidneys. They may cause retention of sodium and water which can lead to edema and high potassium levels. Occasionally, they may cause more serious damage to the kidneys. NSAIDs have also been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Combination products that contain agents that enhance sleep such as diphenhydramine may also cause drowsiness and affect a person’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other hazardous tasks.

Please refer to each combination product for a full list of side effects.

List drug with Analgesic combinations

Drug Name
Acetaminophen and butalbital
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Butalbital
Acetaminophen and caffeine
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Acetaminophen and diphenhydramine
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen and phenyltoloxamine
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Phenyltoloxamine
Acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Acetaminophen, caffeine, and magnesium salicylate
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Caffeine, And Magnesium Salicylate
Acetaminophen, magnesium salicylate, and pamabrom
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Magnesium Salicylate, And Pamabrom
Acetaminophen, pamabrom, and pyrilamine
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, And Pyrilamine
Acuflex
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Phenyltoloxamine
Advil Dual Action With Acetaminophen
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Ibuprofen
Advil PM
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Ibuprofen
Advil PM Liqui-Gels
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Ibuprofen
Aleve PM
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Naproxen
Alka-Seltzer Morning Relief
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Allzital
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Butalbital
Anacin
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Anacin Advanced Headache Formula
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Anacin Extra Strength
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Anolor 300
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Arthriten
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Aspirin and caffeine
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Aspirin, butalbital, and caffeine
Generic name: Aspirin, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Combogesic
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Ibuprofen
Combogesic (Acetaminophen/ibuprofen Oral)
Generic name: Acetaminophen/ibuprofen
Combogesic (Ibuprofen and acetaminophen Oral)
Generic name: Ibuprofen And Acetaminophen
Cope
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Backaid IPF
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Bayer Back and Body
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
BC
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
BC Arthritis
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Bupap
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Butalbital
Bupivacaine and meloxicam
Generic name: Bupivacaine And Meloxicam
Butalbital and acetaminophen
Generic name: Butalbital And Acetaminophen
Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine
Generic name: Butalbital, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Cephadyn
Generic name: Butalbital And Acetaminophen
Diphenhydramine and ibuprofen
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Ibuprofen
Diphenhydramine and magnesium salicylate
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Magnesium Salicylate
Diphenhydramine and naproxen
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Naproxen
Doans PM
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Magnesium Salicylate
Dolgic LQ
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Dologesic
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Phenyltoloxamine
Dologesic DF
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Phenyltoloxamine
Esgic
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Esgic-Plus
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Excedrin
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Excedrin Migraine
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Excedrin Quick Tab Peppermint
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Excedrin Quick Tab Spearmint
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Excedrin Tension Headache
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Excedrin Tension Headache Caplet
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Excedrin Tension Headache Express Gels
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Excedrin Tension Headache Geltab
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Caffeine
Ezol
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Fioricet
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Fiorinal
Generic name: Aspirin, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Flextra
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Caffeine, And Phenyltoloxamine
Fortabs
Generic name: Butalbital, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Genace
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Geone
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Goody's Headache Powders
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Goodys Extra Strength
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Headache Relief PM
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
Generic name: Ibuprofen And Acetaminophen
Ibuprofen PM
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Ibuprofen
Laniroif
Generic name: Butalbital, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Legatrin PM
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Margesic
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Medigesic
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Midol PM
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Midol PMS Maximum Strength
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, And Pyrilamine
MigraTen
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Caffeine, And Isometheptene
Motrin PM
Generic name: Diphenhydramine And Ibuprofen
Nonbac
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Orbivan CF
Generic name: Butalbital And Acetaminophen
P-A-C Analgesic
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Pacaps
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Pain Reliever Plus
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Aspirin, And Caffeine
Pamprin Cramp Formula
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Magnesium Salicylate, And Pamabrom
Pamprin Multi-Symptom
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, And Pyrilamine
Percogesic Extra Strength
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Percogesic Original Strength
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Phrenilin
Generic name: Butalbital And Acetaminophen
Phrenilin Forte
Generic name: Butalbital And Acetaminophen
Premesyn PMS
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, And Pyrilamine
Repan
Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, And Caffeine
Stanback
Generic name: Aspirin And Caffeine
Tylenol PM
Generic name: Acetaminophen And Diphenhydramine
Zebutal
Generic name: Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine
Zynrelef
Generic name: Bupivacaine And Meloxicam

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