Excedrin on Ebay

October 29, 2020 7:16 AM

I need Excedrin but I'm in Canada, where they no longer sell it. My usual sources are not options right now so I'm thinking of buying off Ebay.

Assuming I choose a well-rated American seller with a history showing many sales of this product (probably one who displays the expiry date on the package), is this something I should do, or is it risky? My main concern would be fake drugs.

Note: I have tried other pills, including Tylenol with caffeine. I just really need Excedrin.

posted by anonymous to Shopping (10 answers total)

Just saw I can't memail you since you're anonymous, here is my suggestion.

I have a similar problem in that there is an OTC product only available in Canada that I have found I like. It used to be available in the US but no more. So maybe we could do an even swap. If you're comfortable about that, my email address is in my profile.

(....Believe it or not, I'm talking about Buckley's Mixture.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:23 AM on October 29, 2020 [7 favorites]

Tylenol has no aspirin, but Excedrin does. Maybe aspirin + caffeine the next thing to try? I’m sorry. Good luck.
posted by mahorn at 7:24 AM on October 29, 2020

I'm also in Canada. Excedrin Migraine is:

250 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol)
250 mg aspirin
65 mg caffeine

Have you tried taking Tylenol+caffeine with an aspirin? Both items are available in Canada, just not in a combined pill to my knowledge.

There are also some options if you talk to a pharmacist that you can get from them without a prescription. I use Ratio-Lenoltec No. 1 sometimes, which is:

300 mg acetaminophen
15 mg caffeine
8 mg codeine phosphate

Ratio-Lenoltec Nos. 2 & 3 have the same amount of acetaminophen and caffeine, but more codeine.
posted by sadmadglad at 7:39 AM on October 29, 2020 [6 favorites]

If the "even swap" doesn't appeal - I also looked into getting Buckley's via ebay, but then went with Amazon instead. I had to pay extra for it, but I did get it. It was likely still an independent vendor, but the fact that they had an Amazon affiliation lead to me trusting them a bit more.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:40 AM on October 29, 2020

I'm in the US but when Excedrin Migraine has been unavailable here I've successfully used this generic version. It's the same formulation and it works for me. (Sorry, I don't know if it's available in Canada.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:51 AM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]

Mod note: From the OP:

Thank you for your suggestions. My question really is regarding the safety of ordering Excedrin on Ebay, however. I'd like to know the risk level involved. Thank you! (And, EmpressCallipygos, you've been memailed.)

posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:33 AM on October 29, 2020

Speaking strictly to the ebay element - I'd be a bit more inclined to trust Amazon. You'd probably be okay with ebay, but the consumer protection wouldn't be quite as robust as you can find on Amazon - and if you can find what you need on Amazon I'd go that route as a result.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:45 AM on October 29, 2020

Nthing Amazon as long as you can find a seller that isn't price gouging. In my experience eBay is really hit or miss with products like these; perhaps by chance, getting stuff through customs has been more of a hassle when ordering things from eBay sellers than from Amazon.

(Also we still have Anacin in Canada, if you haven't tried that option yet. It's just challenging to find depending on where you are.)
posted by blerghamot at 1:12 PM on October 29, 2020

There is no absolute answer about reliability of drugs purchased on eBay since there are a multitude of sellers. However, I have purchased diabetic test strips on eBay and they have been as described and worked. Just buy from sellers who have a lot of positive feedback, close to 100%.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 3:47 PM on October 29, 2020

I have purchased Excedrin and many other OTC products many times from eBay sellers and have been doing so for years. I try to pick sellers who list the expiration date, have thousands of transactions, and a feedback rating of 99.5% positive or higher. I've been satisfied with my experiences.
posted by Avalow at 4:06 PM on October 29, 2020 [1 favorite]