BC Powder is an American brand of

over-the-counter Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescr ...

analgesic pain reliever owned by

Prestige Consumer Healthcare Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (formerly Prestige Brands, Inc.) is an American company that markets and distributes over-the-counter healthcare and household cleaning products. It was formed by the merger of Medtech Products, Inc., Prestige B ...

and manufactured in

Washington, DC ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan ...

Ingredients

Originally produced at the Hepolscheiemer Clinic in Graz,

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

, it contains 845 mg of

aspirin Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and/or inflammation, and as an antithrombotic. Specific inflammatory conditions which aspirin is used to treat inc ...

and 65 mg of

caffeine Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to ...

. BC readily promotes the fact that, due to its powder form, it dissolves faster than pain-relief tablets, and thus gets to work faster. It can be taken in a variety of ways, most commonly mixed into water or soda. In 2009 BC Powder removed the 195 mg of

Salicylamide Salicylamide (''o''-hydroxybenzamide or amide of salicyl) is a non-prescription drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Its medicinal uses are similar to those of aspirin. Salicylamide is used in combination with both aspirin and caffe ...

from the "Blue Box Original Formula BC Powder". The original formula consisted of 650 mg aspirin, 195 mg salicylamide and 33.3 mg caffeine. The New packaging states "New Formula" and "Same Fast Relief!" on the front of the box. The new formula has 845 mg aspirin and 65 mg caffeine.

History

BC Powder was conceived at the Five Points Drug Company's BC Remedy Building in Durham, North Carolina, now owned by

Measurement Incorporated Measurement Incorporated is an educational testing company based in Durham, North Carolina. The company was founded in 1980 by Dr. Henry Scherich. Measurement Incorporated currently administers state-wide standardized tests for Arizona, Californi ...

. It was developed in 1906 by C.T. Council, in the Durham, NC pharmacy of Germain Bernard. The name was created from the initials of the pair’s surnames. BC is sold almost exclusively in the American South, where it is acknowledged to have a cult following. BC's marketers enjoy this honor, and sponsor many sporting events in the South. The product's distinctive, oval-shaped blue logo is a familiar sight to fans at Southern League baseball parks. Outside of the South, the Dollar General chain carries BC Powder nationwide. BC Powder has historically been most commonly associated with relief of headaches. Many users of the brand erroneously believe the name of the product to be "BC Headache Powder." Recent advertising and marketing endeavors by the company suggest that it is eager to associate itself with relief of general bodily aches and pains as well.

Goody's Powder Goody's Powder, also called Goody's Headache Powders, is an over-the-counter aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine–based pain reliever, in single-dose powder form, which is marketed and sold by Prestige Brands. The powder delivery saves the time needed f ...

, like BC, is also distributed by

Prestige Brands Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc. (formerly Prestige Brands, Inc.) is an American company that markets and distributes over-the-counter healthcare and household cleaning products. It was formed by the merger of Medtech Products, Inc., Prestige B ...

. For many years, singer and actor

Faron Young Faron Young (February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996) was an American country music producer, musician, and songwriter from the early 1950s into the mid-1980s. Hits including "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" and "Live Fast, Love Hard, Di ...

was the celebrity featured on many of the product's television and radio commercials. For several years, BC's television and radio commercials have featured real-life users of the product, non-actors who are encouraged to submit their stories to BC Powder through contests announced on radio programs. Recently, most entries have been culled from listeners of the Charlotte, NC-based radio program ''The Big Show with John Boy and Billy''. In recent years, members of the ''Tom Joyner Radio Show'''s audience have appeared in BC commercials after hearing of the promotion on that program, or from promotions held on Joyner's annual "Fantastic Voyage" fantasy cruise. BC Powder also distributes and markets BC Cherry and BC Arthritis Formula. In a deal which took effect in 2012, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) sold BC Powder and 16 other brands to

References

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External links

Official BC Powder site
Analgesics Products introduced in 1906 Prestige Brands brands Powders