Results from a pharmacy-based patient survey on the use of a fixed combination analgesic containing acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine by self-diagnosing and self-treating patients

Background Patients suffering from migraine or tension-type headache (TTH) often treat their complaints with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Fixed dose combinations of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine (APC) are among the most commonly used analgesics, and their efficacy for treating acute headache pain has been well demonstrated. This investigation was run to better characterize patients who treat their headache with OTC APC combinations, as well as treatment effects.