|
Fioricet contains the central nervous system depressant butalbital, and may react strongly with other medication that has a similar effect. Be cautious about taking Fioricet with any medication that warns it 'may cause drowsiness' or cautions you against driving or operating heavy machinery. The acetaminophen in Fioricet should not be mixed with certain ingredients in other pain medication.
-
Alcohol - Butalbital and alcohol can accelerate central nervous system depression. Avoid mixing Fioricet with alcohol, as this could result in a fatal overdose. Excessive drinking during Fioricet treatment may also increase the likelihood of serious liver damage or stomach bleeding.
-
Antidiabetic drugs or insulin - Can cause hypoglycemia in combination, dosage adjustments may be required.
-
Antihistamines like Benadryl or Tavist
-
Anticoagulants or blood thinners
-
Aspirin (or any salicylate, such as salicylamide, or salicylic acid) can cause kidney or liver damage when taken in high doses, and over long periods of time, in combination with acetaminophen. When taken in the recommended doses, for a short time, it has not been seen to produce this effect.
-
Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents, and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide), Xanax (alprazolam), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and others, should be used cautiously with Fioricet.
-
Beta Blockers - Drugs like Inderal (propranolol), Lopressor (metoprolol), Tenormin (atenolol), and others may become less effective treatments when used with barbiturates such as butalbital.
-
Caffeine - As Fioricet contains caffeine, you should limit your intake of caffeine through coffee or over the counter stimulants such as Vivarin or NoDoz. Too much caffeine can cause rebound headaches and constipation as withdrawal symptoms.
-
Corticosteroids (cortisone) - Fioricet may make these medications less effective.
-
Corticotropin (ACTH) - Fioricet may make this medication less effective.
-
Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive CNS depression.
-
MAO inhibitors - Fioricet must not be mixed with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil, Marplan, or Parnate.
-
Narcotic pain medication, like Codeine, Demerol (meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine, OxyContin (oxycodone), Percocet (oxycodone, acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine), Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), or Vicoprofen (hydrocodone, ibuprofen) should not be mixed with Fioricet.
-
Norflex (orphenadrine) - Risk of oversedation.
-
Oral contraceptives - Butalbital may make these medications less effective.
-
Sedatives like Fiorinal, Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or barbiturates of any other kind, should not be mixed with butalbital.
-
Sleep medication like Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with butalbital only as, and if, advised by your doctor.
-
Skeletal muscle relaxants - such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin (metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol), or Robaxin (methocarbamol) should not be mixed with Fioricet.
-
Street drugs, such as barbiturates or opiates, must never be mixed with Fioricet as this could result in a fatal overdose.
-
Tegretol (carbamazepine)
-
Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine), or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation; they should not be mixed with butalbital.
-
Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase the central nervous system suppressant effects from either the antidepressant, or the Fioricet.
-
Valproic acid, also Depakote, Depakene, divalproex.
-
Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion) - Barbiturates such as butalbital may decrease levels of bupropion in the body.
The CNS effects of butalbital may be enhanced by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine may enhance the effects of: other narcotic analgesics, alcohol, general anesthetics, tranquilizers such as chlordiazepoxide, sedative-hypnotics, or other CNS depressants, causing increased CNS depression.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions
Acetaminophen may produce false-positive test results for urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
Go to Drug Interactions » |
