$Unique_ID{BRK02062}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ORPHENADRINE, ASPIRIN, AND CAFFEINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Norgesic (Riker)
Norgesic Forte (Riker)
Orphengesic (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Norgesic*0206201.scf
Norgesic Forte*0206202b.scf
Norgesic Forte inset*0206202a.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ORPHENADRINE, ASPIRIN, AND CAFFEINE COMBINATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Norgesic (Riker)
     Norgesic Forte (Riker)
     Orphengesic (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Muscle relaxant and analgesic
INGREDIENTS:
     orphenadrine, aspirin, and caffeine
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (25 mg orphenadrine, 385 mg aspirin, and 30 mg caffeine
       {Norgesic}; 50 mg orphenadrine, 770 mg aspirin, and 60 mg caffeine
       {Norgesic Forte})
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Orphenadrine, aspirin, and caffeine combination drug is used to relax
muscles and to relieve the pain of sprains, strains, and other muscle
injuries.  Orphenadrine acts as a central nervous system (brain and spinal
cord) depressant, which blocks reflexes involved in producing and maintaining
muscle spasms.  It does not act directly on tense muscles.  Caffeine is a
central nervous system stimulant that acts by constricting the blood vessels
in the head.  This may help relieve headaches.  Aspirin is a pain reliever.

TREATMENT

     These tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.  To avoid
stomach irritation, you can also take this medication with food or milk
(unless your doctor directs otherwise).
     If you miss a dose of this medication and remember within an hour, take
the missed dose and then return to your regular dosing schedule.  If it has
been longer than an hour, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, confusion, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness,
dry mouth, headache, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, vomiting, or
weakness.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     To relieve mouth dryness, suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy or
chew sugarless gum.

Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
bloody or black, tarry stools; chest tightness; difficulty in breathing;
difficulty in urinating; hearing loss; palpitations; rash; ringing in the
ears; or severe abdominal pain.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. Orphenadrine can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with other
central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines,
barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
narcotics, and sleeping medications) or with tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Orphenadrine can cause confusion, anxiety, and tremors when combined
with propoxyphene.
     3. Aspirin can increase the active blood levels of methotrexate, oral
antidiabetic agents, and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as
warfarin), which can lead to an increase in side effects.
     4. The antigout activity of probenecid and sulfinpyrazone are decreased
by aspirin.
     5. The gastrointestinal side effects of anti-inflammatory medications may
be increased by aspirin.
     Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any drugs, especially to orphenadrine, caffeine, aspirin, other salicylates,
methyl salicylate, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as
diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin,
ketoprofen, meclofenamate, naproxen, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone,
piroxicam, sulindac, and tolmetin).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had anemia,
bladder obstruction, glaucoma, gout, kidney disease, liver disease, myasthenia
gravis, peptic ulcers, an enlarged prostate gland, an intestinal obstruction,
or bleeding problems.
     * This medication should not be taken as a substitute for rest, physical
therapy, or other measures recommended by your doctor to treat your condition.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy or blurs your vision, do
not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car
or operating potentially dangerous machinery, while you are taking it.
     * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
doctor or dentist about this drug.  Treatment with aspirin-containing drugs is
usually discontinued several days before any major surgery, to prevent
bleeding complications.
     * Because this product contains aspirin, additional medications that
contain aspirin should not be taken without your doctor's approval.  Check the
labels on over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain, sinus, allergy, asthma,
cough, and cold products to see if they contain aspirin.
     * The use of aspirin in children (about 16 years of age or less) with the
flu or chicken pox has been associated with a rare, life-threatening condition
called Reye's syndrome.  Aspirin-containing products should, therefore, not be
given to children who are exhibiting signs of infection.
     * Diabetic patients should be aware that large doses of aspirin (more
than six 385-mg tablets or three 770-mg tablets per day) may interfere with
urine sugar testing.  Diabetics should, therefore, check with their doctor
before changing their insulin dose.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Aspirin can prolong
labor if it is taken by the mother close to term and can cause heart problems
in newborn infants.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
infant.  It is not known whether orphenadrine passes into breast milk, but
small quantities of aspirin and caffeine are able to pass into breast milk.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
