Aspirin treatment with caffeine

Simple analgesics (alone or in combination with caffeine) and NSAIDs are effective for the acute treatment of mild to moderate tension-type headache. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen. 

The hterature describing randomized double-blind studies of effectiveness of Fiorinal and Fioricet is very limited. In one study Fiorinal PA, aspirin 200 mg and acetaminophen 200 mg (replacing the phenacetin in the old formulation) with caffeine 40 mg and butalbital 50 mg were compared to placebo. Among patients, 84% responded to treatment, compared to placebo response of 27% (P < 0.05) [15,16]. In another study, Fioricet (acetaminophen 325 mg, caffeine 40 mg, and butalbital 50mg) was statistically more effective when compared to placebo [17]. 

Ephedrine by itself has been shown to be ineffective as a weight-loss treatment. Ephedrine combined with either caffeine or aspirin is effective. The effect appears to stem from a combination of appetite reduction and avoidance of the metabolic rate decrease usually associated with a reduced-calorie diet. 

Xanthines (usually caffeine) are frequently combined with aspirin in the treatment of headaches. In combination with an ergot derivative, methylxanthines have been used to treat migraine. These effects are likely due to their ability to produce vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels. Aminophylline is useful in the rehef of pain due to acute biliary colic. 

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