Excedrin is an over-the-counter headache pain reliever, typically in the form of tablets or caplets. It contains paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin, and caffeine. It was manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb until it was purchased by Novartis in July, 2005 along with other products from BMS's over-the-counter business. As of March 2015, GSK holds majority ownership of Excedrin through a joint venture transaction with Novartis. On 18 July 2022, GSK spun off its consumer healthcare business (including Excedrin) to Haleon. The brand became known for advertisements where it cured especially unpleasant and excruciating headaches (called "Excedrin headaches" in the ads of 1970s, and later called "Excedrin tension headaches"). In 2007, the brand branched out into marketing for other types of pains with the introduction of Excedrin Back & Body, without caffeine. Excedrin is mentioned in Stephen King's the 1977 novel The Shining, as a headache remedy for Jack Torrance. Principles of work Excedrin is a combined medication. It comprises acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, three separate medications. These medications treat migraine headache in a variety of ways. Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and painkiller. Its precise mechanism is unknown. It is known that it mostly affects the brain and spinal cord, which are parts of the central nervous system. By lowering the quantity of prostaglandins the body produces, acetaminophen raises the threshold for pain. Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It lessens irritation and swelling as well as discomfort and inflammation. The amount of prostaglandins the body produces is also decreased by aspirin, but not in the same way that acetaminophen does. Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor, causing blood vessels to become smaller. This helps to restrict the blood vessels in the brain. As a result, the amount of blood that may pass through the blood arteries at once is reduced. The widening of blood arteries that causes headaches is prevented by this process. If a headache is brought on by caffeine withdrawal, caffeine also relieves it. Versions Over the years, different types of the drug were introduced: 1960: Excedrin Extra Strength (the formula changed for the last time in 1978) In 1960, Bristol-Myers Squibb introduced Excedrin Extra Strength for headaches, the first multi-ingredient formulation headache treatment product. Contains 250 mg acetaminophen, 250 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine 1969: Excedrin PM – The first headache and sleeping pill combined product. Contains 500 mg acetaminophen and 38 mg diphenhydramine citrate as a sleep