It can affect sleep: the Excedrin Extra Strength label carries a caffeine warning - limit the use of caffeine-containing medications, foods, or beverages while taking it, because too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and occasionally rapid heartbeat.
The label notes the recommended dose contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. It does not include a drowsiness warning, and that is not the same as a promise that it will not make you drowsy. This page is about Excedrin Extra Strength; if your box lists different active ingredients, its own Drug Facts label is the one that applies.
What the label says
Excedrin Extra Strength combines three active ingredients in each caplet - acetaminophen 250 mg, aspirin 250 mg (NSAID), and caffeine 65 mg. Here is what its label says about sleep and alertness:
Who should ask a doctor first
The label says do not use Excedrin Extra Strength if you have ever had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen, aspirin, or any other pain reliever or fever reducer, and do not use it with any other drug containing acetaminophen (prescription or nonprescription) - if you are not sure whether a drug contains acetaminophen, ask a doctor or pharmacist. Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product (Reye's syndrome warning).
The Excedrin Extra Strength label says to ask a doctor before use if you have:
- liver disease, or if the stomach bleeding warning applies to you (age 60 or older, past stomach ulcers or bleeding problems, blood thinning or steroid drugs, other NSAIDs, 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, taking more or for a longer time than directed)
- a history of stomach problems, such as heartburn
- high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease, or you are taking a diuretic
- asthma
- or if you are taking a prescription drug for diabetes, gout, or arthritis, any other drug, or are under a doctor's care for any serious condition - those are doctor-or-pharmacist questions on the label
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the label says to ask a health professional before use - and it is especially important not to use aspirin at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor. Stop use and ask a doctor if you notice signs of stomach bleeding - feeling faint, vomiting blood, bloody or black stools, or stomach pain that does not get better - or if new symptoms occur; if an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away. A pharmacist or your prescriber is the right reviewer for your full medication list. An AI consult can help you work out what to ask; it is not a substitute for that review.
Common questions
Will Excedrin keep you awake?
It can affect sleep: the Excedrin Extra Strength label says to limit the use of caffeine-containing medications, foods, or beverages while taking it, because too much caffeine may cause sleeplessness, and it notes the recommended dose contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Does Excedrin make you drowsy?
The Excedrin Extra Strength label does not list drowsiness among its warnings. That absence on the label is not a promise that it will not make you drowsy - if you feel unusually drowsy after taking it, ask a pharmacist or your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol with Excedrin?
The label's liver warning says severe liver damage may occur with 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product, and its stomach bleeding warning says the chance of severe stomach bleeding is higher with 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using it.
Does this apply to every Excedrin product?
This page covers Excedrin Extra Strength only. Check the Drug Facts on your own box - the active ingredients listed there are the label that applies to it.