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 | Excedrin Back & Body |
| acetaminophen + aspirin + caffeine | Arthriten, Excedrin, Goody’s Extra-Strength |
| acetaminophen + butalbital | Allzital, Bupap |
| acetaminophen + butalbital + caffeine | Capacet, Esgic, Fioricet |
| acetaminophen + caffeine | Excedrin Quick Tab, Excedrin Tension Headache |
| acetaminophen +caffeine + isometheptene mucate | Prodrin |
| Acetaminophen + caffeine + magnesium salicylate | KneeRelief |
| Acetaminophen + diphenhydramine | Midol PM, Percogesic Extra Strength |
| acetaminophen + phenyltoloxamine CR | Lagesic, Myophen |
| aspirin + butalbital + caffeine | Butalbital compound, Fiorinal |
| codeine + acetaminophen | Tylenol with codeine |
| codeine + acetaminophen + butalbital + caffeine | Fioricet with codeine |
| codeine + aspirin + butalbital + caffeine | Ascomp with codeine, Fiorinal with codeine |
| dihydrocodeine + acetaminophen + caffeine | Panlor-DC, Trezix |
| hydrocodone + acetaminophen | Hycet, Lorcet, Lortab, Maxidone, Norco, Vicodin |
| hydrocodone + ibuprofen | Ibudone, Reprexain, Vicoprofen, Xylon 10 |
| ibuprofen + diphenhydramine | Advil PM |
| naproxen + diphenhydramine | Aleve PM, Excedrin PM, Tylenol PM |
| oxycodone + acetaminophen | Endocet, Magnacet, Percocet, Primlev, Roxicet, Tylox, Xartemis XR |
| 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.