Aspirin; Caffeine Oral Powder

What is this medication?

ASPIRIN; CAFFEINE (AS pir in; KAF een) treats mild to moderate pain, inflammation, or arthritis. It may also be used to reduce fever. It is a combination of an NSAID and caffeine.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): BC Arthritis Formula, BC Arthritis Strength, BC Headache, BC Headaches & Body Aches Fast Pain Relief, BC On-The-Go Arthritis Pain Relief, BC On-The-Go Headache Pain Relief, Goody's Hangover Pain Relief, Goody's Plus, Stanback

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Bleeding disorder
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung or breathing disease (asthma)
• Stomach bleeding
• An unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, caffeine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Pour the powder onto your tongue and let it dissolve. Follow the directions on the label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use. It should only be used as needed.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cidofovir
• Defibrotide
• Ketorolac
• Probenecid

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Certain medications for blood pressure or heart disease
• Certain medications for diabetes, such as glipizide or glyburide
• Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproic acid
• Certain medications that prevent and treat blood clots, such as warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin, apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban
• Cimetidine
• Ketoconazole
• Methotrexate
• Other NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not take other medications that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen with this medication. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many non-prescription medications contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Always read labels carefully.

This medication can cause serious ulcers and bleeding in the stomach. It can happen with no warning. Tobacco, alcohol, older age, and poor health can also increase risks. Call your care team right away if you have stomach pain or blood in your vomit or stool.

Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Discuss this medication with your care team if you may be pregnant. Taking this medication after 20 weeks of pregnancy may cause serious birth defects. Use of this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy is not recommended.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Round red or dark patches on the skin that may itch, burn, and blister

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Anxiety, nervousness
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Tremors or shaking
• Upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F).

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.