Anadin Extra Caplets 32s

What is Anadin Extra?

Anadin Extra tablets provide fast-acting pain relief from a range of conditions, such as headaches and migraines. They should be taken to treat mild to moderate pain.

It can be taken by adults over the age of 16. You can buy Anadin Extra from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription. 

What is Anadin Extra used to treat?

This medicine is widely used as a treatment for the symptoms of migraine headaches.

Anadin Extra tablets also provide effective pain relief from mild to moderate pain caused by a variety of other conditions; these include toothache, sore throats, period pain, headaches and neuralgia.

Anadin Extra tablets can also be taken to treat the pain associated with muscle injuries, although you should also use a tubular bandage to reduce swelling.

Why is Anadin Extra recommended for migraines?

The medicine contains a triple-action formula of caffeine, paracetamol and aspirin, designed to target and block the pain signals as quickly as possible.

Anadin Extra's three active ingredients each work in different ways to provide comprehensive relief from the pain that a migraine can cause. 

Typically, it will get to work within five minutes.

How does Anadin Extra work?

This medicine consists of a triple-action formula comprised of paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine, which is designed to relieve pain very quickly. These three components work together to each achieve a different goal:

• Paracetamol works to block the brain's pain signals
• Aspirin targets the pain and suppresses it at the source
• Caffeine can make pain relief medicine up to 40% more effective

Who can take Anadin Extra?

Anadin Extra tablets provide fast-acting pain relief from a wide range of problems, but they are not suitable for everyone to take.

There is a possible connection between aspirin and Reye's syndrome, which is a very rare disease affecting the brain and liver; it can be fatal. For this reason, you should not give aspirin to children under 16 years old, unless specifically instructed to by a doctor.

Do not take this medicine if:

• You are allergic to caffeine, aspirin, paracetamol or any other ingredient in this medicine (please refer to the Ingredients tab for full details)
• You have ever had or currently have a stomach ulcer, bleeding or perforation
• You suffer from gout or haemophilia
• You are breastfeeding
• You are in the late stages of pregnancy

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Anadin Extra if suffer from:

• Liver or kidney disease (including alcoholic liver disease)
• Asthma
• Allergic disease
• Dehydration
• G-6-PD deficiency

This list is not exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for full warnings.

Can you buy Anadin Extra over the counter?

Yes, you can buy Anadin Extra from pharmacies and supermarkets without needing a prescription. You must be at least 16 years old to take this medicine.

Can you buy Anadin Extra online in the UK?

You can buy Anadin Extra online from Medicine Direct after you have filled out a short and confidential online consultation form. This will be reviewed by one of our certified prescribers to make sure this medicine is safe for you to take.

Order online by 2pm to benefit from next day delivery.

Never buy any medicine online unless you are ordering it from a fully regulated pharmacy, like Medicine Direct.

Anadin Extra alternatives

Various alternative medicines are available if Anadin Extra is not effective or suitable for you. Migraleve Pink is a migraine treatment that can also be ordered online without a prescription. Migraleve Pink also contains three active ingredients: paracetamol and codeine (to ease headaches) and buclizine (to settle nausea).

Triptan medicines are available on prescription from Medicine Direct, including the likes of Sumatriptan and Zolmitriptan. It is believed that migraines are caused by the blood vessels in the brain widening, which results in a throbbing headache. Triptan medicines work to treat migraines by causing the blood vessels in the brain to narrow to their normal size, relieving the throbbing pain.

Anadin Extra Dosage and Directions

Always take Anadin Extra tablets exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before taking them. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Anadin Extra if you are unsure of how to take it.

This medicine should be taken orally and is for short-term use only. Do not take these tablets with any other products that contain paracetamol.

How to take Anadin Extra

Adults and children over 16 should take 2 tablets when they feel the onset of pain.

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew them.

If the pain does not go away, you can take another 2 tablets after four hours.

Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours and do not take more than 2 tablets at once.

Anadin Extra side effects

Like all medicines, Anadin Extra has the risk of possible side effects, although not everyone gets them.

You can reduce the risk of side effects by taking the lowest dose possible. Side effects are most serious in elderly patients.

Stop taking this medicine and seek medical advice if:

• You get breathing problems (this is most common in patients with or who have a history of asthma)
• You have stomach ulceration or perforation (symptoms may include vomiting blood, abdominal pain, blood in the faeces or passing black stools)

Serious side effects

If any of the below side effects become serious, or any other reactions occur, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately:

• The blood does not clot well, which results in bruising or bleeding easily
• A severe reduction in white blood cells, making you prone to infection
• Shaking or palpitations
• Gout
• Indigestion
• Heartburn
• Feeling or being sick
• Changes in skin colour
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath

Always read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of side effects. 

Anadin Extra warnings and drug interactions

Please inform your doctor or pharmacist of any other medicines you are currently using, whether they are prescription or non-prescription as some medicines may interact with the ingredient paracetamol and some may interact with the ingredient aspirin.

Do not use Anadin Extra if you are already taking any medicines to reduce blood clotting (warfarin) or to treat gout (sulfinpyrazone).

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this pain relief medicine if you are currently taking:

• Water tablets
• Diarrhoea treatment caused by gall bladder disease
• Cholestyramine
• Certain antibiotics (chloramphenicol)
• Corticosteroids (steroid hormones)
• Epilepsy treatments
• Certain cancer treatments (methotrexate)
• Medicine to lower blood pressure (ACE inhibitors)
• Antacids
• Cilostazol
• Mifepristone
• Gout treatments (probenecid)
• Certain asthma treatments (zafirlukast)
• Obesity treatments (sibutramine)
• Some depression medicines (SSRIs, venlafaxine)
• Anti-sickness treatments (metoclopramide, domperidone)
• Any other NSAIDs such as Naproxen and Ibuprofen

Precautions

Do not take these tablets with any other products that contain paracetamol.

You should take 2 tablets up to four times a day, as required. However, you must leave a gap of 4 hours between each dose. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you take more of this medicine than instructed, even if you feel okay. An overdose of paracetamol can result in delayed, serious liver damage. Bring the packaging and any remaining tablets with you to show the doctor.

Anadin Extra Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Paracetamol, Caffeine and Aspirin.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

Is Anadin Extra the same as aspirin?

Aspirin is one of the active ingredients contained in Anadin Extra. However, this medicine also contains paracetamol and caffeine.

Is there ibuprofen in Anadin Extra?

Ibuprofen is not contained in Anadin Extra.

What is the difference between Anadin Extra and ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anadin Extra contains aspirin, which is also an NSAID, as well as paracetamol, which is an analgesic.  

How strong is Anadin Extra?

Anadin Extra contains the following doses of active ingredients: caffeine 45mg, paracetamol 200mg, and aspirin 300mg.

How long does it take for Anadin Extra to kick in?

Thanks to the triple-action formula that contains caffeine, you can expect Anadin Extra to get to work within just five minutes of taking it.

Why does Anadin Extra contain caffeine?

The caffeine contained in Anadin Extra helps the active ingredients to get to work faster. This helps to provide quicker-acting pain relief from your migraine.

Is Anadin Extra an anti-inflammatory?

Anadin Extra contains aspirin, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

How many Anadin Extra tablets can I take?

You must not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take more than 2 tablets at the same time.

Can Anadin Extra cause high blood pressure?

Raised blood pressure is sometimes a side effect of Anadin Extra.

Is it okay to take Anadin Extra with blood pressure tablets?

You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Anadin Extra if you are currently taking any blood pressure-lowering medicines.