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Efficacy of fixed combinations of acetylsalicyclic acid, acetaminophen and caffeine in the treatment of idiopathic headache: a review
Article first published online: 13 JAN 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02922.x
© 2010 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2010 EFNS
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How to Cite
Anneken, K., Evers, S. and Husstedt, I. W. (2010), Efficacy of fixed combinations of acetylsalicyclic acid, acetaminophen and caffeine in the treatment of idiopathic headache: a review. European Journal of Neurology, 17: 534–e25. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02922.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 15 MAR 2010
- Article first published online: 13 JAN 2010
- Received 7 July 2009 Accepted 11 November 2009
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Keywords:
- acetylsalicyclic acid;
- combination analgesics;
- headache;
- headache therapy;
- migraine;
- tension-type headache
Headache is one of the most common reasons for patients to visit their general practitioner. Most of these patients suffer from migraine, tension-type headache, or a combination of the two; they tend to self-medicate using over the counter combination headache preparations, particularly acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) and acetaminophen coformulated with caffeine, which is one of the most commonly used combination analgesics in these patients worldwide. We reviewed studies on the efficacy and safety of this combination. In the treatment of migraine and tension-type headache, the combination of ASA, acetaminophen, and caffeine has been shown to be more efficacious and superior to monotherapy with the single substances of the combination. According to literature, there is no evidence for higher prevalence of undesirable side-effects of combination analgesics in comparison to monotherapy.