acetaminophen/aspirin (Goody's Powder Back and Body Pain, Excedrin Back and Body)

Dosing and uses of Goody’s Powder Back and Body Pain, Excedrin Back and Body (acetaminophen-aspirin)

• Adult
• Pediatric

 

Adult dosage forms and strengths

acetaminophen/aspirin

oral powder (Goody's Powder Back & Body Pain)

• 325mg/500 mg

caplet (Excedrin Back & Body)

• 250mg/250mg

 

Analgesia/Fever

Indicated to relieve minor pain caused by headache, muscular aches, fever, minor arthritis pain, and colds

Goody's Powder Back & Body Pain: 1 powder on tongue (or mixed in water or other liquid) PO q6hr; not to exceed 4 powders/24 hr

Excedrin Back & Body: 2 caplet PO q6hr; not to exceed 8 caplets/24 hr

 

Pediatric dosage forms and strengths

acetaminophen/aspirin

oral powder (Goody's Powder Back & Body Pain)

• 325mg/500 mg

caplet (Excedrin Back & Body)

• 250mg/250mg

 

Analgesia/Fever

Indicated to relieve minor pain caused by headache, muscular aches, fever, minor arthritis pain, and colds

<12 years

• Safety and efficacy not established

>12 years

• Goody's Powder Back & Body Pain: 1 powder on tongue (or mixed in water or other liquid) PO q6hr; not to exceed 4 powders/24 hr
• Excedrin Back & Body: 2 caplet PO q6hr; not to exceed 8 caplets/24 hr

 

Goody’s Powder Back and Body Pain, Excedrin Back and Body (acetaminophen-aspirin) adverse (side) effects

Frequency not defined

Acetaminophen

• Angioedema, laryngeal edema
• Pruritic maculopapular rash, urticaria
• Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura
• Hepatotoxicity
• May increase uric acid, chloride, glucose
• May decrease sodium, calcium, bicarbonate
• Anaphylactoid reaction

Aspirin

• Rash, urticaria
• Dyspepsia, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting
• Tinnitus (high or chronic dose)

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Hepatitis or severe hepatic/renal impairment

 

Cautions

Contains aspirin; children and adolescents should not use for symptoms of viral infections (eg, chickenpox, influenza) due to risk for Reye syndrome

Hepatic impairment or consumption of 3 or more alcoholic beverages/day may increase risk for liver damage (associated with acetaminophen) or GI bleeding (associated with magnesium salicylate)

Do not take with other products that contain acetaminophen due to risk of additive toxicity/overdose

Avoid with active peptic ulcer disease

Avoid in severe renal impairment (ie, CrCl <10 mL/min)

Acetaminophen: Risk for rare, but serious skin reactions that can be fatal; these reactions include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP); symptoms may include skin redness, blisters and rash

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: D; avoid aspirin (NSAIDs) during pregnancy, particularly in third trimester because of risk for premature closure of the ductus arteriosus

Lactation: Excreted in breast milk

Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice of health professional before using OTC drugs

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Goody’s Powder Back and Body Pain, Excedrin Back and Body (acetaminophen-aspirin)

Mechanism of action

Acetaminophen: Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in CNS and may block peripheral pain impulse generation; acts on hypothalamus as antipyretic

Aspirin: Acts on hypothalamus to produce antipyresis; anti-inflammatory properties attributed to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition resulting in decreased formation of thromboxane A2