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Fioricet ® (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine)
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Fioricet is a specialized
drug designed to stop complicated headaches like tension
headaches
and migraines.
Exactly how it works is unknown, but many doctors and patients
feel it is the best drug to eliminate headaches. |
Fioricet ® Medical Information:
What Is It
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital
is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that slow down your
central nervous system (brain and nerve impulses) causing relaxation.
Caffeine is believed to constrict dilated blood vessels that may
contribute to tension headaches. Together, acetaminophen, butalbital,
and caffeine are used to relieve complex tension (muscle contraction)
headaches. Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine may also be used
for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Normal Dose
Take acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine exactly as directed
by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask
your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take
each dose with a full glass of water. Take acetaminophen / butalbital
/ caffeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Never
take more acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine than is prescribed
for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to
your doctor. Store acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine at room
temperature away from moisture and heat.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double
dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before
taking your next dose.
Over Dose
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an acetaminophen
/ butalbital / caffeine overdose include insomnia, restlessness,
tremor, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating,
seizures, drowsiness, decreased breathing, dizziness or fainting,
confusion, an irregular heartbeat, and coma.
Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine and seek emergency
medical attention: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives); · slow, weak breathing; · liver damage
(yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort,
unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); · blood
problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising); or · low
blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, dizziness, or
fainting). These side effects are very rare and are not likely
to occur during proper treatment with acetaminophen and caffeine.
If you experience any unusual reactions, stop taking this medicine
and seek the advice of your doctor. Other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur. Continue to take acetaminophen /
butalbital / caffeine and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness; · dizziness,, confusion or lightheadedness;
· shortness of breath; · dry mouth; · nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, or decreased appetite; · tiredness,
leg pain, or muscle weakness; · agitation, irritability,
nervousness, anxiety or excitability; · rash or itching;
· feeling of intoxication; · headache; or ·
constipation. Butalbital may be habit forming. Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Butalbital will cause drowsiness or dizziness.
If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Avoid sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers
except under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make
you drowsy. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with acetaminophen
and butalbital can be very damaging to your liver and can increase
drowsiness and dizziness. Check the acetaminophen content of other
over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication.
You should not exceed 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
Avoid taking too much caffeine. Check the caffeine content of
other over-the-counter and prescription products as well as beverages
(coffee, tea, and colas) while taking this medication
Drug Interactions
Do not take acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine if you have
taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in
the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result. Acetaminophen
and butalbital may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines
that you are taking, and Do not take any medicine unless your
doctor approves. Many other medicines contain acetaminophen, especially
over-the-counter pain, fever, cold, and allergy medications. Too
much acetaminophen can be very dangerous. Drugs other than those
listed here may also interact with acetaminophen / butalbital
/ caffeine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Notes
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Butalbital will cause drowsiness or dizziness.
If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Avoid sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers
except under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make
you drowsy. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with acetaminophen
and butalbital can be very damaging to your liver and can increase
drowsiness and dizziness. Check the acetaminophen content of other
over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication.
You should not exceed 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
Never take more acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine than is
prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated,
talk to your doctor.
Fioricet Common Misspellings:
Fioricet is often misspelled, as many people hear the word , write
it down, and spell it the incorrect way. Here are a few of
the most common misspellings for Fioricet : Forisette, Feoricet,
Firicet, Fioricet, Foricet, Feoricet, Firicet, Fioriset, Fioracet,
Fiorcet, Floricet, Foriset, Fioraset, dioricet,
rioricet,
tioricet,
gioricet,
vioricet,
cioricet,
fuoricet,
f8oricet,
f9oricet,
fooricet,
fkoricet,
fjoricet,
fiiricet,
fi9ricet,
fi0ricet,
fipricet,
filricet,
fikricet,
fioeicet,
fio4icet,
fio5icet,
fioticet,
fioficet,
fiodicet,
fiorucet,
fior8cet,
fior9cet,
fiorocet,
fiorkcet,
fiorjcet,
fiorixet,
fioriset,
fioridet,
fioricet,
fiori et,
fioricwt,
fioric3t,
fioric4t,
fioricrt,
fioricdt,
fioricst,
fioricer,
fiorice5,
fiorice6,
fioricey,
fioriceg,
fioricef
. Full correct name of this drug is "Fioricet".
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