FDA pharmacologic class
Methylxanthine
3 medicines are in FDA's class of methylxanthines: caffeine, theophylline (Theo) and aminophylline; 8 combination products also contain one. All 11 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is migraine 250-250-65 mg cplt at $0.0648 per unit (NADAC).
Which medicines are methylxanthine?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen and aspirin and caffeine | Excedrin | 39 labelers | $0.0648 per unit 250-250-65 mg cplt | No | No current entry | 3 |
| Caffeine | none listed | 7 labelers | $0.083 per tablet 200 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Acetaminophen and butalbital and caffeine | Fioricet, Butal | 35 labelers | $0.122 per tablet 50-325-40 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry | 2 |
| Theophylline | Theo | 26 labelers | $0.330 per tablet 300 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 4 |
| Aminophylline | none listed | 5 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine and codeine | none listed | 5 labelers | $0.798 per capsule 50-325-40-30 mg capsule | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin and butalbital and caffeine | none listed | 5 labelers | $0.948 per capsule 50-325-40 mg capsule | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin and caffeine and orphenadrine | Norgesic, Orphengesic | 3 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Aspirin, butalbital, caffeine and codeine | none listed | 4 labelers | $1.00 per capsule Ascomp with codeine capsule | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Caffeine and ergotamine | Cafergot, Migergot | 3 labelers | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
| Acetaminophen and caffeine and dihydrocodeine | Trezix | 1 labeler | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price