BC Headache Side Effects

Generic name: aspirin / caffeine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 11, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about BC Headache Side Effects associated with aspirin / caffeine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name BC Headache.

Applies to aspirin / caffeine: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Aspirin can also cause a severe allergic reaction.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Limit the use of caffeine-containing medications, coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of caffeine while taking this product.

Using too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and, rapid heart beat.

Using this medicine in a child or teenager with flu symptoms or chickenpox can cause a serious or fatal condition called Reye's syndrome.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Limit the use of caffeine-containing medications, coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks or other sources of caffeine while taking this product. Using too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and, rapid heart beat.

Stop using aspirin and caffeine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure (convulsions);

• severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• fever lasting longer than 3 days; or

• swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days.

Common side effects may include:

• upset stomach, heartburn;

• drowsiness; or

• mild headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to aspirin / caffeine: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent.

General adverse events

The more commonly reported adverse events with aspirin have included gastrointestinal events such as nausea and dyspepsia; caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and palpitations, especially with higher doses.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Aspirin:

• Very common (10% or more): Epigastric distress (up to 83%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal discomfort/pain, endoscopically identifiable gastric mucosal lesions, nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage, peptic ulcers, perforation, esophageal ulcerations, dyspepsia, gastritis^[Ref]

Endoscopically identifiable gastric mucosal lesions occur in most patients who receive a single dose of aspirin. Clinically evident gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported in as many as 3% of treated elderly patients. Anorectal ulceration and rectal stenosis have been reported in patients who abuse aspirin-containing rectal suppositories.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Predictable antiplatelet effects, hemorrhage, increased blood fibrinolytic activity, hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocyturia, megaloblastic anemia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, ecchymosis

Hypersensitivity

Aspirin:

• Very common (10% or more): Hypersensitivity reactions in asthmatics who are aspirin-sensitive (e.g., with the clinical triad of aspirin sensitivity, bronchial asthma, and nasal polyps)
• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions include bronchospasm, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, angioedema, sin reactions, and anaphylaxis

Respiratory

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm (in patients sensitive to aspirin and other NSAID)

Renal

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, renal failure, increased blood uric acid levels

The mechanism of an aspirin-induced decrease in renal function may be related to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis with consequent decreases in renal blood flow. Vasodilating renal prostaglandins may be particularly important in patients who exhibit arterial underfilling (i.e. heart failure, cirrhosis). The administration of high doses of NSAIDs to such patients has produced acute renal failure in rare instances.

Other

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Reye's syndrome, tinnitus, temporary hearing loss

Caffeine:

• Frequency not reported: Fibrocystic breast disease

In one study of the effects of caffeine, 634 women with fibrocystic breast disease (compared to 1066 women without the disease), the occurrence of fibrocystic breast disease was positively associated with average daily consumption of caffeine. Women who consumed 31 to 250 mg/day of caffeine were reported to have a 1.5 times increase in odds to have the disease. Women who consumed over 500 mg/day of caffeine were reported to have a 2.3 times increase in odds

Dermatologic

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, lichenoid eruption

Hepatic

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Hepatotoxicity, cholestatic hepatitis, aminotransferase elevations

Psychiatric

Caffeine:

• Frequency not reported: Nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness (particularly in higher doses)

Nervous system

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, headache

Caffeine:

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, tremor

Cardiovascular

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Salicylate-induced variant angina, ventricular ectopy, conduction abnormalities, and hypotension, particularly during salicylate toxicity

Caffeine:

• Frequency not reported: Palpitations

Metabolic

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Dehydration, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, sodium and fluid retention, respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis (particularly during salicylate toxicity)

Genitourinary

Aspirin:

• Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis, papillary necrosis, proteinuria

Further information

BC Headache side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer