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Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine come together to form the medication commonly known as Fioricet. Supplies as tablets for oral administration, Fioricet is generally recommended for tension muscular headaches but also for the following medical conditions: Migraines, degenerative disease of the spine, fibromyalgia (rheumatoid disorder characterized by pain and muscle rigidity), spondylolisthesis (vertebra dislocation creating pressure on the spinal nerves, causing intense pain) and for premenstrual pain.
Fioricet tablets contain the above-mentioned ingredients: butalbital 50 mg, acetaminophen 325 mg and caffeine 40 mg. Inactive ingredients include: magnesium stearate, cellulose, starch and stearic acid. Given the fact that butalbital can be addictive, Fioricet is prescribed with increased attention. Butalbital is part of the barbiturate class of drugs, having both sedative and hypnotic properties. It slows down the functioning of the central nervous system, having the same effect on nerve impulses. All these properties finally induce relaxation, relief from the intense pain felt. Acetaminophen is a mild analgesic with antipyretic properties. Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous system but also contributed to the constriction of blood vessels, reducing the consequences of severe tension headaches.
What are the potential side-effects of Fioricet? The combination between these three drugs can lead to severe allergic reactions with dsypnea, throat closing up (edema of the glottis, the speech organ) and swelling of the lips, tongue or face in general. Emergency medical assistance is required in patients with slow breathing, irregular heartbeat and all the signs mentioned above. Serious liver damage can also happen in case of large quantities of acetaminophen. The harmful effects of prolonged Fioricet treatments are noticeable through the following symptoms: icterus (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), feelings of sickness, abdominal pain and general discomfort. Patients might also experience intense weakness. Liver damage is commonly linked to blood problems, including strange bleeding or easy bruising. Long-term Fioricet treatments can also modify the concentration of glucose in the blood, with fatigue, vertigo and passing out as symptoms.
The important thing to understand about the symptoms mentioned above is they appear on rare occasions. The doctor must be notified about their existence and perform a thorough investigation in order to determine underlying causes of these unusual reactions. The best thing for you to do is stop taking the medication step-by-step (not all of a sudden as you risk powerful withdrawal symptoms to appear) and wait for your doctor's approval before re-starting the treatment. Fioricet may also make you feel dizzy, drowsy and tired but these are not serious side-effects. They usually appear at the start of the treatment and diminish in intensity after a while. Fioricet will make your mouth to feel dry (xerostomia) and provoke nausea or vomiting. This medication is also responsible for appetite loss, muscular fatigue and cramps. In some cases, side-effects include agitation and feelings of intoxication.
Do not refrain from going to the doctor if any other side-effects or adverse reactions appear. Also, be sure to inquire about potential drug interactions and substance abuse situations caused by excessive intake of butalbital Fioricet should never be taken at the same time with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors as this combination can lead to extremely serious adverse reactions. As for acetaminophen and butalbital, they can increase the potency of other medication and lead to intense drowsiness. We are talking about tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives, pain-relieving medication, anti-anxiety drugs and muscle relaxants. You should not follow any other treatment before consulting with your doctor first.
As butalbital causes drowsiness and reduces the functioning of the central nervous system, it is not advisable to drive or operate other vehicles while under Fioricet treatment. Also, doctors have become increasingly concerned with the large intake of acetaminophen. Many of the patients who follow a treatment with Fioricet take other drugs that contain acetaminophen and the results are not pleasant at all. This is why you should always check the prescription label of other medicine you are taking and read about possible acetaqminophen content. Medical specialists do not recommend patients to take more than 4 mg of this substance in a day. Increased attention should also be given to the quantities of caffeine ingested, no matter if you take pills or three cups of coffee per day.
Fioricet is administered orally, with a glass of water. If you have stomach problems, you can always take the medication with food or a glass of milk. The dosage should always be respected and the doctor consulted if the symptoms do not improve. Taking excessive quantities of this drug can lead to overdose, with insomnia, severe agitation and constant tremor. Patients who are suspected of overdosing should be immediately sent to the closest medical unit and treated. Other OD symptoms include irregular heartbeat, tonic convulsions, excessive sweating, shallow breathing and even coma.
The doctor will monitor your treatment closely if you suffer from kidney or liver disease. Certain precaution is required in those with a history of substance abuse; Fioricett should be administered only under close supervision. This drug is not recommended for those who have a drinking problem or those who have been diagnosed with porphyria. As the effects of Fioricet on fetuses are not known yet, this medication is not indicated for pregnant women. Breast-feeding is also a contraindication as active ingredients can pass into the mother's milk, harming the baby. The light-blue round tablets should never be administered to children under 12.
By Megan Mathews
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