Category: Migraine

How should I take Fioricet?

Blue FIoricet
Blue FIoricet

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. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this combination product in the treatment of multiple recurrent headaches is unavailable. Caution in this regard is required because butalbital is habit-forming and potentially abusable.

Extended and repeated use of this product is not recommended because of the potential for physical dependence.

Descriptions

Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine combination is used to relieve symptoms of tension (or muscle contraction) headaches.

Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates. Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

When butalbital is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Caffeine is a CNS stimulant that is used with pain relievers to increase their effect. It has also been used for migraine headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet
  • Capsule
  • Solution
What is the proper dosage for butalbital-acetaminophen-caffeine?

BAC is available in capsules, tablets, or a liquid. The number of capsules or tablets you take varies by medication.

In capsule form, the recommended dosage is usually one to two pills every 4 hours as needed.

In liquid form, it’s usually 15 milliliters (mL) or 30 mL of oral suspension every 4 hours, up to a certain amount per day.

Be sure to read the prescription directions.

BAC can become habit-forming. To lower risk, doctors recommend that you do not:

  • take a larger dose
  • take it more often than a doctor prescribes
  • take it for a longer period than a doctor prescribes

Use it exactly as directed and for a limited time. If you think you need more than the prescribed amount for your symptoms or need to take it for longer, contact your healthcare team to discuss.

 

Fioricet Drug Interaction

Fioricet contains Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine.  A lot of other pain relievers contain Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine too.

I can only list some common over the counter medicines that contain Acetaminophen:  Actifed, Alka-Seltzer, Plus Liquid Gels, Anacin, Cepacol, Contac, Coricidin, Dayquil, Dimetapp, Dristan, Excedrin, Feverall …

Some prescriptions that contain acetaminophen are: Ultrace, Fioricet, Oxycodone, Endocet, Tylox …

You also must know what drugs contain Butalbital:  Bupap, Phrenilin, Tencon, Cephadyn; Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic-Plus; Fioricet with Codeine, Floricet with Codeine, Phrenilin with Caffeine and Codeine; Axotal; Fiorinal, Butalbital Compound, Farbital, Idenal; Fiorinal with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine III, Ascomp with Codeine, Fiortal with Codeine.

When you take more than one pain killer, you must read very carefully about their components.  Never exceed the max dosage of acetaminophen and butalbital of all the medicines you are taking.   Normally All the packages sent to you have the drug introduction and doctor names and phone number.  Read the drug introduction very carefully and never share the medicines with your sisters, your brothers,  your parents, or any friends. Always do not let the children touch the medicines.

Please donot drink any alcohol (Ethanol) with your Fioricet Because Ethanol together with acetaminophen will cause serious side effects that affect your liver, and Ethanol together with Butalbital will cause side effects of dizziness, drowsiness.

Please don’t take herb while you are taking Fioricet. Even Vitamins will have some interaction with Fioricet.

Be honest to place the current medicines you are taking in the health questionnaire  form. The doctor will check whether you are OK to take Fioricet.  If they think your current drugs or herbs have some interaction with Fioricet, they will phone you to discuss the situation with you. So please always leave us the correct phone number. We will never call you to promote you anything.

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and the medicines listed below.

    • Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
    • Advil (ibuprofen)
    • Ambien (zolpidem)
    • aspirin
    • Ativan (lorazepam)
    • baclofen
    • caffeine
    • clonazepam
    • codeine
    • Cymbalta (duloxetine)
    • Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine)
    • Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
    • gabapentin
    • hydrocodone
    • ibuprofen
    • ibuprofen
    • Imitrex (sumatriptan)
    • Klonopin (clonazepam)
    • levothyroxine
    • Lexapro (escitalopram)
    • lisinopril
    • Lyrica (pregabalin)
    • meloxicam
    • naproxen
    • Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
    • omeprazole
    • oxycodone
    • Percocet (acetaminophen / oxycodone)
    • prednisone
    • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    • Topamax (topiramate)
    • tramadol
    • trazodone
    • Tylenol (acetaminophen)
    • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
    • Xanax (alprazolam)
    • Zofran (ondansetron)

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) disease interactions

There are 25 disease interactions with Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) which include:

    • alcoholism
    • liver disease
    • acute alcohol intoxication
    • drug dependence
    • liver disease
    • porphyria
    • rash
    • respiratory depression
    • cardiac disease
    • hypertension
    • liver disease
    • PUD
    • PKU
    • adrenal insufficiency
    • depression
    • hematologic toxicity
    • osteomalacia
    • paradoxical reactions
    • cardiotoxicity
    • bipolar disorders
    • psychiatric disorders
    • psychotic disorders
    • renal dysfunction
    • seizure disorders
    • GERD

Other Prescription Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Ethanol
    • Tobacco

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Cabbage
    • Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse, history of or
  • Drug dependence, or history of or
  • Weakened physical condition—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Porphyria (an enzyme problem)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
  • Stomach problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Can Fioricet Get You High ?

Migraine is a complex brain condition that affects nearly 1 billion people globally. Migraine is more than a strong headache. It can cause debilitating effects that can linger for days and disrupt daily life.

Fortunately, today there are many treatments to relieve migraine symptoms. Medications are one tool along with other support options to provide relief.

Fioricet is a combination medication that has been around for many years and is approved to treat symptoms of tension headaches. While it’s sometimes used for migraine, there are better choices available.

How does Fioricet work to treat migraine?

Fioricet contains three different active ingredients which work together on tension headaches. The exact way Fioricet works to help relieve tension headache is not clear.

Butalbital is a barbiturate that helps with relaxation and anxiety, acetaminophen works as an analgesic for pain relief, and caffeine also helps with pain relief.

How do you take Fioricet?

Fioricet is available as a capsule you take by mouth. The recommended dose is 1-2 capsules every 4 hours. Do not take more than 6 capsules in a 24-hour period.

Fioricet can cause an upset stomach, so taking it with food or milk may help.

Ask your pharmacist for information on the best way to take Fioricet.

What does Fioricet Do ?

Fioricet is a prescription medicine given to people who suffer from tension headaches and migraines. It is a combination of three primary ingredients which are butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine.

Butalbital is the component of the drug that can cause a Fioricet high, as it’s a barbiturate. Barbiturates act as a central nervous system depressant, much like drugs like opioids and other muscle relaxants.

The acetaminophen works to relieve pain in a different way for the butalbital, and the caffeine is included to help improve blood flow that can reduce the symptoms of migraines and headaches.

While in general Fioricet is thought of as a headache medicine, regarding FDA approval, it’s intended for three specific types of headaches. These are muscle contraction, tension, and post-dural puncture headaches.

The FDA does not necessarily approve it as a treatment for migraines, but many doctors do prescribe it for this.

While there are risks and an abuse potential with Fioricet, people who suffer from headaches can find tremendous relief in the use of this drug.

What is a Fioricet High?

One of the key active ingredients responsible for the so-called Fioricet high is butalbital. Butalbital is a barbiturate that’s considered short-to-intermediate acting, and it can relieve symptoms of anxiety, reduce pain, relax muscles and act as a sedative. There are many neuropsychological effects of butalbital, some of which aren’t clearly understood to this day.

The belief is that the Fioricet high is caused by the fact that butalbital can increase the inhibition neurotransmitters in the brain called GABA. It can bind to certain receptor sites and ultimately central nervous system activity is depressed. This can lead to what feels like a buzz or to some people possibly a high.

So what does a Fioricet high feel like?

For the most part, it’s likely to feel similar to other central nervous system depressant effects. There is some evidence pointing to the fact that taking Fioricet can feel similar to the effects of drinking alcohol, particularly when the prescription drug is taken at higher levels.

The following are some of the common experiences that people say come along with a Fioricet high:

  • Fioricet can reduce anxiety and some people with anxiety disorders may take it for this reason, although this is not what it’s approved for. There is the potential for Fioricet to decrease feelings of anxiety even when it’s taken at a normal dose, and this is because of the impact of butalbital on GABA. For some people, a Fioricet high is actually just equated with a reduction in anxiety.
  • Depersonalization may be another effect of the so-called Fioricet high, although this isn’t necessarily something people find pleasant. It can lead to feelings of confusion and sluggishness, and this is one of the reasons Fioricet isn’t frequently used
  • Drowsiness and sedation may also be side effects of a Fioricet high, particularly when it’s taken in larger amounts. While Fioricet has a stimulant component which is caffeine when larger doses are taken the central nervous system depressant effects may override the stimulant effects.
  • Some people may obtain a sense of euphoria when taking Fioricet, although it’s not as pronounced as what would occur with something like prescription opioids. As with most other drugs, if someone does experience euphoria with a Fioricet high, it’s likely to dissipate after using the drug a few times as they build a tolerance.
  • While not everyone who takes Fioricet says they experience euphoria, some people say that it does improve their mood. This can be because of the GABA-related effects of butalbital, but also the inclusion of acetaminophen and caffeine. There’s also the element of stimulation that can occur with caffeine, so some people may feel this is a Fioricet high when they experience it.
  • Lightheadedness and dizziness are common side effects of Fioricet, and these may also be symptoms that people associate with a Fioricet high.
  • One of the primary reasons people will abuse Fioricet and take high doses is to achieve relaxation, which occurs because of the slowdown of the central nervous system. People who take this drug may feel relaxed and also tranquil. Some of this is because of the loosening up of muscles the drug can stimulate.

Not everyone will associate the use of this drug with the Fioricet high. Some of the factors that determine whether or not a person will experience a Fioricet high can include the dosage they take and their tolerance. Newer users may be more likely to experience what they would describe as the Fioricet high. Other factors that could influence this include the specific formulation of the drug and whether or not other substances are taken with it.

Some people may try to extract the butalbital from Fioricet and remove it from the caffeine and acetaminophen for a greater high. This is not only drug abuse, but might not even achieve the effects the person is looking for.

It’s important to realize that there can be serious and deadly consequences associated with trying to achieve a Fioricet high. This can include addiction, adverse reactions, brain damage, emotional crashes, and overdose. Since Fioricet has acetaminophen, if people abuse it to get high they may also sustain liver damage or failure.