What is Asa/Caffeine/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 is the most important information I should know about Asa/Caffeine/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 discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine?

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:

kidney or liver disease
asthma
urination problems
an enlarged prostate
a thyroid disorder
a history of head injury or brain tumor
seizures or epilepsy
gallbladder disease
Addison’s disease; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

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.

Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Asa/Caffeine/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.

Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine Interactions

What other drugs affect Asa/Caffeine/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 should I avoid while taking Asa/Caffeine/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.

Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine Dosage

How should I take Asa/Caffeine/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 overdose on Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of aspirin, caffeine, and dihydrocodeine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness or insomnia, restless feeling, tremors, fast heart rate, pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, confusion, ringing in your ears, fainting, weak pulse, seizure (convulsions), blue lips, shallow breathing, or no breathing.

What happens if I miss a dose of Asa/Caffeine/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.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Asa/Caffeine/Dihydrocodeine