Fioricet ( Butalbital Acetaminophen Caffeine) Online Information

Fioricet and Esgic Plus are brand names of a combination of butalbital (a barbiturate), acetaminophen and caffeine which is indicated for the treatment of tension headaches, muscle contraction headaches and post-dural puncture headaches.

What Is Fioricet?

Fioricet is the brand for a combination medication with FDA approval to treat some types of tension headaches. It helps relax muscle contractions involved with tension headaches and has been used extensively off-lave; for migraines. Fioricet contains a blend of:

• Butalbital (50mg): A type of barbiturate that helps with muscle relaxation
• Acetaminophen (300mg): An over-the-counter analgesic that helps to relieve pain
• Caffeine (40mg): Added to enhance the effects of acetaminophen

Some types of Fioricet also contain codeine, a potent narcotic and opioid used to treat pain.

Fioricet is a popular medication approved to treat symptoms of tension headaches. Migraines affect close to one billion people worldwide. More than an intense headache, people with migraines know well that the symptoms can linger for days and disrupt their daily life. While there are many treatment options for treating migraines, approximately 6% of patients use Fioricet to control the symptoms. If you suffer from migraines or someone you know takes Fioricet, keep reading to learn about addiction’s side effects and risk factors.

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Fioricet is indicated for the treatment of muscle tension or muscle contraction headaches. It is also commonly prescribed for migraines although it is not FDA indicated for this use in the United States. The usual adult dose is 1-2 tablets every four hours as needed, not exceeding six tablets in a 24-hour period.

Before taking Fioricet

Do not use Fioricet if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

You should not use Fioricet if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.

To make sure Fioricet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• • • liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
    • kidney disease;
    • asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
    • stomach ulcer or bleeding;
    • a history of skin rash caused by any medication;
    • a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts; or
    • if you use medicine to prevent blood clots.

It is not known whether Fioricet will harm an unborn baby. If you use butalbital while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

What is the most important information I should know about Fioricet (Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine)?

Fioricet precautions :

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of :

• • serious liver disease;
  • alcohol or narcotic dependence;
  • emotional/mental conditions;
  • heart disease (arrhythmias, recent MI);
  • stomach/intestinal ulcers;
  • any allergies.

Acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may increase your risk for liver damage. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

To prevent oversedation, avoid using alcohol and other sedative type medications while taking Fioricet. Fioricet may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Fioricet contains caffeine. Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages while taking this medication as excessive nervousness and irritability can occur.

Fioricet should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Small amounts of this medication appear in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

What should I avoid while taking Fioricet?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

While you are taking this medication, avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice.

Fioricet side effects :

Fioricet may cause the following side effects the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication:

• • • lightheadedness;
    • dizziness;
    • drowsiness;
    • stomach upset;
    • nausea;
    • sleeping disturbances.

If these symptoms persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop a rapid/ irregular heartbeat.

An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include :

• • • rash;
    • itching;
    • swelling;
    • severe dizziness;
    • trouble breathing.

If you notice other effects of Fioricet not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Fioricet – Drug interactions :

Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: “blood thinners” Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use that cause drowsiness such as :

• • medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives);
  • tranquilizers;
  • anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam);
  • narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine);
  • psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline);
  • anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine);
  • muscle relaxants;
  • antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine).

Because Fioricet contains acetaminophen, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications containing acetaminophen which is commonly found in nonprescription pain relievers and cough-and-cold products. Read labels carefully to check ingredients.

Fioricet may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Fioricet overdose :

If Fioricet overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Fioricet overdose may include :

• • • vomiting;
    • unusual drowsiness;
    • lack of feeling alert;
    • slow or shallow breathing;
    • cold or clammy skin;
    • loss of consciousness;
    • dark urine;
    • stomach pain;
    • extreme fatigue.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Fioricet Overdose?

While Butalbital is the addictive ingredient in Fioricet, Acetaminophen is the ingredient which is liable to cause an overdose. Unfortunately, people who misuse Fioricet as a recreational drug or as a way to suppress withdrawal are most likely to suffer an overdose.

When a person overdoses on Fioricet, the Acetaminophen will damage their liver. In severe cases, an overdose can even provoke fatal liver failure. For this reason, it is dangerous to take Fioricet together with another medication which contains Acetaminophen because it increases the risk of overdose and death. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking Fioricet may also inflict liver damage.

A Fioricet overdose is a medical emergency, so it’s important to know the symptoms. An overdose on Fioricet may cause jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Other symptoms of an overdose include:

• • • Confusion
    • Convulsions and seizures
    • Fainting
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • Lack of appetite
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Restlessness
    • Stomach pain
    • Sweating
    • Tremors

Fioricet – Missed dose :

If you miss Fioricet dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the Fioricet dose to catch up.

Fioricet Storage :

Store Fioricet at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store Fioricet in the bathroom.

Is Fioricet Addictive?

Although Fioricet is a valid prescription medication, it has the potential to cause addiction. When someone follows their prescription guidelines and directions, the risk of addiction is shallow. However, if someone exceeds their dosage, they may develop tolerance to its effects. Particularly, the active ingredient butalbital may be habit-forming. Fioricet can make you feel very relaxed or high when taken in high doses, as with other prescription drugs. Again, these effects are largely produced from the butalbital and codeine in Fioricet. Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants, so taking more than prescribed can produce a high that feels similar to alcohol intoxication.

Withdrawal

Most symptoms of Fioricet withdrawal last anywhere between 8 hours to three days. However, factors like ingesting alcohol, metabolism, and using other substances may extend the withdrawal timeline. Rebound headaches are the most common sign of withdrawal. Other symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mood swings
• Tremors
• Weakness

Overdose

Interestingly enough, while butalbital is the habit-forming ingredient in Fioricet, acetaminophen is the most likely to cause an overdose. An overdose is a medical emergency that can be fatal without medical assistance. Signs of overdose include:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Fainting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness
• Stomach pain
• Sweating
• Tremors

Fioricet and Codeine

In addition, some formulas of Fioricet contain codeine, a potent opioid. Codeine enhances the medication’s pain-relieving effects, but it also increases the risk of overdose and addiction. If you or someone you know needs a Fioricet prescription, be sure to ask for the opioid-free version of the drug. Misuse of Fioricet with codeine, either accidentally or intentionally, may lead to lethal respiratory depression. Shallow breathing, a slow heart rate, and intense confusion are other overdose symptoms from Fioricet with codeine. Fioricet with codeine should not be taken in combination with serotonergic drugs, like some types of antidepressants or anxiety medications.

Signs of Fioricet Addiction

Fioricet abuse signs are very similar to other prescription drugs. People who abuse prescription drugs tend to experience physical and behavioral changes that include:

• Taking more medication than prescribed
• Experiencing cravings and burgers for the drug
• Taking more of the medication to get the same effects
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from the drug
• Seeking out multiple doctors to get a new prescription
• Using multiple pharmacies to feel their prescription

Physical Signs

Physical signs of addiction are very similar to alcohol abuse. Medications like sleeping pills and pain medicines have similar effects:

• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Loss of motor skills
• Coma

Psychological Signs

The behavioral signs of substance abuse resemble drunkenness and usually include:

• Lack of inhibition
• Paranoia
• Impaired judgment
• Irritability
• Suicidal thoughts

Addiction Treatment Options

There are several options to treat prescription drug addiction. Since Fioricet causes withdrawal symptoms, most people will start their journey with a medical detox followed by inpatient or outpatient treatment.

• Medical detox—Involves assisting the patient in removing all of the Fioricet and other substances from the body under a controlled environment to manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Inpatient treatment—Allows patients to stay at a facility for an extended period of time to focus solely on their recovery.
• Outpatient treatment—Provides more flexibility for patients who want to seek treatment but prefer to stay at home. Patients still attend individual and group therapy throughout the week.
• Partial hospitalization program—A treatment option for Fioricet addiction lets patients attend treatment throughout the day but return home at night.
• Dual diagnosis treatment—Ideal for patients with addiction and mental health disorders, dual diagnosis treatment helps treat both conditions simultaneously.

Abuse and Dependence

Butalbital

Barbiturates may be habit-forming: Tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence may occur especially following prolonged use of high doses of barbiturates. The average daily dose for the barbiturate addict is usually about 1500 mg. As tolerance to barbiturates develops, the amount needed to maintain the same level of intoxication increases; tolerance to a fatal dosage, however, does not increase more than two-fold. As this occurs, the margin between an intoxication dosage and fatal dosage becomes smaller. The lethal dose of a barbiturate is far less if alcohol is also ingested. Major withdrawal symptoms (convulsions and delirium) may occur within 16 hours and last up to 5 days after abrupt cessation of these drugs. Intensity of withdrawal symptoms gradually declines over a period of approximately 15 days. Treatment of barbiturate dependence consists of cautious and gradual withdrawal of the drug. Barbiturate-dependent patients can be withdrawn by using a number of different withdrawal regimens. One method involves initiating treatment at the patient’s regular dosage level and gradually decreasing the daily dosage as tolerated by the patient.

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