Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache.
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine ( Fioricet ) is a combination medicine used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.
Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
How does Fioricet work?
The acetaminophen in Fioricet is a pain reliever, the caffeine works as a stimulant to increase the acetaminophen’s effectiveness, and the butalbital is a sedative that decreases anxiety while causing relaxation and sleepiness. These actions are believed to ease migraine symptoms, but there is limited evidence that barbituates ease migraine symptoms.
Things to note about Fioricet
Fioricet can be habit-forming, so you should use extreme caution if you decide to take it. Additionally, some people who take barbituates or opioids for extended periods can experience rebound headaches, which can increase in severity. These are also known as MOH, or medication overuse headaches.1
Barbituates can cause drowsiness, and their effect can be increased by alcohol use. It is important not to drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this drug affects you.2
Before taking Fioricet, tell your doctor if you:
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- Are allergic to any ingredients in the medication
- Are taking blood thinners, antidepressants, antihistamines, or other sedatives like sleeping pills or tranquilizers.
- Are taking pain medications. Many over-the-counter pain relievers contain acetaminophen, and too much of this drug can be harmful.
- Have ever had liver disease, porphyria, or depression
- Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding2
You should begin no medication or supplement without first checking with your health care provider and should let them know of any other prescriptions, OTCs, and herbals you are taking to ensure there are no interactions.
What is the most important information I should know about Fioricet (Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine)?
Do not use this medicine 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 acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine if you are allergic to it, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.
To make sure acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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- 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.
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It is not known whether this medicine 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.
Many patients choose to buy Fioricet online and to have it shipped. This is a very safe and reliable way to get your medication. You have to make sure that you order in time so that you don’t run out, however. Most of the good online pharmacies offer overnight shipping if you’re really in a bind. With a good plan and some foresight, however, you can make sure that you always have the medication you need and that you don’t have to run down to the pharmacy and pay their inflated prices when you need your Fioricet medication.
Because Fioricet medication is controlled, you’ll have to make sure that you’re around when the package arrives. While some packages can be signed for by someone else at your home or by a neighbor, this is not the case with most prescriptions. When you buy Fioricet, you’re buying a medication that contains a barbiturate. This is a very tightly controlled type of medication and the shipping company will not typically allow anyone else but you to receive it. The only exception may be if the person using the medication has a legal guardianship that applies and if someone else takes care of their medication shopping for them.
Can I take Fioricet (Acetaminophen, Butalbital, And Caffeine) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If there is some reason that you cannot be around when the Fioricet you buy online arrives, make sure that you have it sent to the address where you’ll be located. Otherwise, there may be delays in getting your Fioricet medication. even though you have a prescription that allows you refills, make sure you order them in time. The best way to do it is to order in advance of running out and to pick the cheapest possible shipping option. This way, you save money and you don’t run out of the medication that you need.
When you buy cheap Fioricet online, make sure that the business is legitimate before ordering from them.
Your doctor will have to send in your prescription. On the pharmacy, check to see what the fax number or other means of sending the information is. Let your doctor know. even though you just tell them the name of the pharmacy, it’s unlikely that they’ll have their staff hunt around to find out where they’re supposed to send the information. Most of the good pharmacys will ask for your doctor’s information and they’ll go ahead and get your prescription themselves.