Tag: acetaminophen

How to Treat Fioricet overdose

The treatment of Fioricet overdose is complicated by the presence of two substances which are highly toxic when taken in excessive amounts. Fioricet overdoses generally result in toxic amounts of both acetaminophen and butalbital being consumed at once, requiring both overdoses to be treated at once.

Fioricet overdose by anyone and/or any consumption by persons to whom it is not prescribed (particularly children) is always a medical emergency and medical attention must be sought immediately if an overdose or consumption by other persons is suspected.fioricet

Fioricet overdose is often fatal and symptoms may not present for hours following consumption, once initial overdose symptoms present they can progress rapidly and there may not be time to reach appropriate medical care after this point.

Acetaminophen over-exerts its toxicity through the production of a toxic metabolite which produces liver damage in doses of 3,000mg or more per day and acute liver failure in doses above that. The specific antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N-acetyl-cysteine. Kidney failure and stomach bleeding may also occur.

Butalbital overdoses exerts its toxicity through excessive sedation resulting in respiratory depression and ultimately death via hypoxia. Nonlethal overdoses may also result in coma and death. There is no specific antidote to butalbital overdose and treatment is supportive, common treatment regimens generally include the administration of intravenous administration of saline, naloxone, thiamine, glucose, NaHCO3 to alkalize the urine to increase rate of excretion, and activated charcoal via nasogastric tube. It is not uncommon for doctor to recommend observation of the patient in the Emergency Department for a number of hours or admission to the hospital for several days of observation if symptoms are severe and to counsel the patient on drug abuse and/or refer them for psychiatric evaluation.

Recommended dosages for this drug are based on someone’s age and weight and also the scheduled frequency of taking it.

Acetaminophen overdoses happen when someone:

  • Takes too much of the pain medication at one time
  • Re-doses too soon
  • Takes multiple medications at the same time that also contain acetaminophen

For a healthy adult weighing at least 150 pounds, the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 milligrams (mg). However, you can experience liver damage even if you stay at or below 4,000mg if you take this maximum dose for an extended period.

As such, doctors often recommend a maximum daily dose closer to 3,000 mg. Read the drug label carefully and know exactly how much acetaminophen is in each tablet, capsule or liquid dose.

The following table further details acetaminophen dosage recommendations:

325mg 500mg 650mg (extended-release)
Take how many pills at a time? 1 or 2 1 or 2 1 or 2
Take how often? Every 4 to 6 hours Every 4 to 6 hours Every 8 hours
Safest maximum daily dose for most adults 8 pills 6 pills 4 pills
Never take more than this in a 24-hour period 12 pills (3,900mg) 8 pills (4000mg) 6 pills (3,900mg)

For children, acetaminophen doses usually come in 80mg and 160mg, although many of the medications are delivered in liquids (syrups), not pills or chewable tablets.

Body weight plays more of a factor in dosing for kids than it does for adults. The smaller and younger a child is the more careful adults must be when giving the correct dosage. Get an updated weight on your child before administering acetaminophen or any medications that have acetaminophen in them.

Here are basic guidelines for children taking acetaminophen:

Child’s Weight Syrup/Liquid (160mg) Pills (80mg)
24 to 35 lbs 1 tsp 2 tablets
26 to 47 lbs 1.5 tsp 3 tablets
48 to 59 lbs 2 tsp 4 tablets
60 to 71 lbs 2.5 tsp 5 tablets
72 to 95 lbs 3 tsp 6 tablets
96 or more lbs 4 tsp 8 tablets

An important note: Children under the age of 6 should not take more than one medication at a time that has acetaminophen as an active ingredient.

If your child is younger than 2 years old, check with your pediatrician, an urgent-care physician or pharmacist before giving any medication that contains acetaminophen.

For adults and children, if the recommended dosages don’t relieve symptoms, consult with a doctor before making the decision to increase any dosages. Acetaminophen toxicity can lead to life-threatening acute liver failure.

How Often Can You Take Acetaminophen?

Dosing frequency is a crucial part of how much acetaminophen you can take at one time or during a one-day period. How long it takes acetaminophen to work, duration of its effects, and how long the medication stays in your body determine how often you should re-dose.

The recommended frequency is every four to six hours. After ingestion, it takes acetaminophen between 30 and 90 minutes to start working. Several factors, including formulation, other drug and alcohol intake influence the effects of acetaminophen.

If you have questions about acetaminophen and the right dose for you, speak with your doctor. Discuss other medications you may be taking and your overall health to determine the best plan for your needs.

How Long Does Acetaminophen Work For?

Acetaminophen typically lasts four hours for both pain relief and fever reduction. This is why the recommended dosing frequency is no more than every four to six hours.

The biological half-life of a drug plays an essential role in its effectiveness and safety. It is also an important factor for determining dosage recommendations.

How Long Does Acetaminophen Stay in Your System?

Scientists gauge the time it takes for your body to eliminate acetaminophen from the system by using the medication’s estimated half-life. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for half a dose to be metabolized and eliminated from your bloodstream. Acetaminophen half-life elimination for therapeutic doses is between one and two-and-a-half (2.5) hours.

However, the expected half-life of acetaminophen can vary from person to person. Factors that affect its half-life include age, genetics, weight and overall health. Generally, a therapeutic dose of acetaminophen flushes fully from your system within 24 hours.

An acetaminophen overdose can extend the half-life of the drug to four and eight, meaning it may take up to three times longer for you to get the drug out of your body. If you re-dose too soon following even a small overdose period, it can lead to an acute case of severe acetaminophen toxicity.

How Much Acetaminophen Is Too Much?

Aside from determining how long acetaminophen works and how long it stays in your system, the drug’s half-life also determines how much is too much to take. The goal of medication is to achieve a steady state, at which point the amount of the drug you ingest and the amount that’s eliminated are equal.

Regardless of a drug’s half-life, it takes approximately four times longer for its concentration to reach a steady state in your body. Acetaminophen side effects often occur when you’re not in a steady state. A small amount of acetaminophen is metabolized into the compound NAPQI, which can cause liver toxicity in large amounts.

Taking too much acetaminophen can cause acute liver damage, which can be fatal. As such, you should not exceed the 4,000 mg maximum daily dose recommendation (you should ideally stay closer to 3,000 mg). Acetaminophen may also effect blood pressure. One 2022 clinical research study found that regular daily intake of 4 g acetaminophen increased systolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension by about 5 mm Hg compared with a placebo.

Primary symptoms of acetaminophen overdose are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive sweating
  • Jaundice
  • Irritability
  • Seizures
  • Coma

In case you suspect someone took an overdose of acetaminophen or if you see someone exhibit the above symptoms, you should immediately call 911, emergency medical services, a poison control center or a doctor.

Emergency room treatment will depend on the presenting condition and other drugs that may have been taken. If you make it to the hospital just after taking an overdose, the doctor will attempt to empty your stomach.

Doctors like to prescribe a dose of activated charcoal within four hours of an overdose to bind drugs remaining in your gastro-intestinal tract. They also give N-Acetylcysteine, an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, orally or intravenously within eight hours.

Emergency doctors recommend that anyone suspected to have taken an acetaminophen overdose get treatment as soon as possible, even before the symptoms occur. Early treatment of acetaminophen overdose can improve the outcome significantly.

 

Acetaminophen Mechanism of Action

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 is a combination medicine used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is generally considered to be a weak inhibitor of the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs). However, the in vivo effects of paracetamol are similar to those of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Paracetamol also decreases PG concentrations in vivo, but, unlike the selective COX-2 inhibitors, paracetamol does not suppress the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.

It does, however, decrease swelling after oral surgery in humans and suppresses inflammation in rats and mice. Paracetamol is a weak inhibitor of PG synthesis of COX-1 and COX-2 in broken cell systems, but, by contrast, therapeutic concentrations of paracetamol inhibit PG synthesis in intact cells in vitro when the levels of the substrate arachidonic acid are low (less than about 5 mumol/L).

When the levels of arachidonic acid are low, PGs are synthesized largely by COX-2 in cells that contain both COX-1 and COX-2. Thus, the apparent selectivity of paracetamol may be due to inhibition of COX-2-dependent pathways that are proceeding at low rates.

This hypothesis is consistent with the similar pharmacological effects of paracetamol and the selective COX-2 inhibitors. COX-3, a splice variant of COX-1, has been suggested to be the site of action of paracetamol, but genomic and kinetic analysis indicates that this selective interaction is unlikely to be clinically relevant.

There is considerable evidence that the analgesic effect of paracetamol is central and is due to activation of descending serotonergic pathways, but its primary site of action may still be inhibition of PG synthesis.

The action of paracetamol at a molecular level is unclear but could be related to the production of reactive metabolites by the peroxidase function of COX-2, which could deplete glutathione, a cofactor of enzymes such as PGE synthase.

Average Daily Dose for the Barbiturate Addict is Usually 1500 mg

Barbiturates may be habit-forming: Tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence may occur especially following prolonged use of high doses of barbiturates.

The average daily dose for the barbiturate addict is usually about 1500 mg. As tolerance to barbiturates develops, the amount needed to maintain the same level of intoxication increases; tolerance to a fatal dosage, however, does not increase more than two-fold.

Fioricet contains 50mg Butalbital per pill. It is about 50mg X 30 tablets for fioricet abuse. As you know, the max dosage for Generic fioricet is six tablets. You can not abuse generic fioricet if you take fioricet by following the drug instruction.

The max dosage of acetaminophen(OTC drug) is 3000mg , it is about 325 X 8 tables Fioricet Dosage.  Acetaminophen overdose can cause serious liver and heart damage. So never exceeding your max dosage of fioricet.

How should I take Fioricet?

Take Fioricet exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take more of this medication than recommended. 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.

Butalbital may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Butalbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Headache:

Butalbital 50 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg/caffeine 40 mg: 1 or 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed not to exceed 6 capsules per day

Uses: For the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Headache:

12 years or older: Butalbital 50 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg/caffeine 40 mg: 1 or 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed not to exceed 6 capsules per day

Comments:
-Due to high rate of physical dependence, the extended use of this drug is not recommended.
-The safety and efficacy of treating multiple recurrent headaches with this product is not known.

Uses: For the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

Is it OK to donate blood if I take Fioricet (Butalbital APAP Caffeine)?

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 is a combination medicine used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.

Is it OK to donate blood if I take Fioricet(Butalbital APAP Caffeine)?

I have a prescription for Fioricet(Butalbital APAP Caffeine) for back and head pain and I was wondering if it’s still ok to donate blood? I have donated blood before, but not since I’ve been taking fioricet. Is it ok for me to donate still?

Best answer:

Answer by BloodDoc
There is no deferral from volunteer blood donation while taking Fioricet(Butalbital APAP Caffeine). However, you should be free of headaches prior to donation.

Thanks for such a generous gift.

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 opioids.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
  • kidney disease;
  • stomach ulcer or bleeding;
  • a history of skin rash caused by any medication; or
  • a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts.

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 breastfeeding a baby.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

What do you think? Answer below!

Will Fioricet Help Back Pain?

Yes, Fioricet contains butalbital, which is a mild narcotic. It is not as effective as other pain medications, but at my job as a neurologic assistant, I see many patients that have told me it improves their back pain.

Fioricet Blue and White Tablet
Fioricet Blue and White Tablet

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine 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.

But as Robert said, it is indicated for headaches.

Is it OK to take Fioricet every day?

Because butalbital is habit-forming, it is not recommended to take Fioricet every day. It’s possible to build up a tolerance to butalbital. Over time, higher doses may be needed to have the same effect, leading to drug dependence. Taking higher doses of Fioricet can also increase the chance of an overdose.

Fioricet is intended for occasional use every 4 hours when symptoms occur.

 

What is the Max Dosage of Acetaminophen ?

Acetaminophen, which is also known as paracetamol, is a commonly used OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer (antipyretic). People use it for headaches, and minor aches and pain. Liver injury from acetaminophen overdose remains a serious public health problem despite ongoing regulatory and educational efforts over the past several years to improve the safe use of medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Fioricet contains acetaminophen 325 mg per tablet. The max dosage of an adult for acetaminophen goes down from 4000mg to 3000mg per day (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231915.php). So only acetaminophen, you should not take more than eight tablet fioricet per day. IF you take more than eight fioricet tablet per day, you will hurt your liver.

acetaminophen

From tylenol website, they lowered the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength TYLENOL® (acetaminophen) products sold in the U.S. from 8 pills per day (4,000 mg) to 6 pills per day (3,000 mg). The dosing interval has also changed from 2 pills every 4 – 6 hours to 2 pills every 6 hours.

Recommended dosages for this drug are based on someone’s age and weight and also the scheduled frequency of taking it.

Acetaminophen overdoses happen when someone:

  • Takes too much of the pain medication at one time
  • Re-doses too soon
  • Takes multiple medications at the same time that also contain acetaminophen

For a healthy adult weighing at least 150 pounds, the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 milligrams (mg). However, you can experience liver damage even if you stay at or below 4,000mg if you take this maximum dose for an extended period.

As such, doctors often recommend a maximum daily dose closer to 3,000 mg. Read the drug label carefully and know exactly how much acetaminophen is in each tablet, capsule or liquid dose.

The following table further details acetaminophen dosage recommendations:

325mg 500mg 650mg (extended-release)
Take how many pills at a time? 1 or 2 1 or 2 1 or 2
Take how often? Every 4 to 6 hours Every 4 to 6 hours Every 8 hours
Safest maximum daily dose for most adults 8 pills 6 pills 4 pills
Never take more than this in a 24-hour period 12 pills (3,900mg) 8 pills (4000mg) 6 pills (3,900mg)

For children, acetaminophen doses usually come in 80mg and 160mg, although many of the medications are delivered in liquids (syrups), not pills or chewable tablets.

Body weight plays more of a factor in dosing for kids than it does for adults. The smaller and younger a child is the more careful adults must be when giving the correct dosage. Get an updated weight on your child before administering acetaminophen or any medications that have acetaminophen in them.

Here are basic guidelines for children taking acetaminophen:

Child’s Weight Syrup/Liquid (160mg) Pills (80mg)
24 to 35 lbs 1 tsp 2 tablets
26 to 47 lbs 1.5 tsp 3 tablets
48 to 59 lbs 2 tsp 4 tablets
60 to 71 lbs 2.5 tsp 5 tablets
72 to 95 lbs 3 tsp 6 tablets
96 or more lbs 4 tsp 8 tablets

An important note: Children under the age of 6 should not take more than one medication at a time that has acetaminophen as an active ingredient.

If your child is younger than 2 years old, check with your pediatrician, an urgent-care physician or pharmacist before giving any medication that contains acetaminophen.

For adults and children, if the recommended dosages don’t relieve symptoms, consult with a doctor before making the decision to increase any dosages. Acetaminophen toxicity can lead to life-threatening acute liver failure.

How Often Can You Take Acetaminophen?

Dosing frequency is a crucial part of how much acetaminophen you can take at one time or during a one-day period. How long it takes acetaminophen to work, duration of its effects, and how long the medication stays in your body determine how often you should re-dose.

The recommended frequency is every four to six hours. After ingestion, it takes acetaminophen between 30 and 90 minutes to start working. Several factors, including formulation, other drug and alcohol intake influence the effects of acetaminophen.

If you have questions about acetaminophen and the right dose for you, speak with your doctor. Discuss other medications you may be taking and your overall health to determine the best plan for your needs.

How Long Does Acetaminophen Work For?

Acetaminophen typically lasts four hours for both pain relief and fever reduction. This is why the recommended dosing frequency is no more than every four to six hours.

The biological half-life of a drug plays an essential role in its effectiveness and safety. It is also an important factor for determining dosage recommendations.

How Long Does Acetaminophen Stay in Your System?

Scientists gauge the time it takes for your body to eliminate acetaminophen from the system by using the medication’s estimated half-life. A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for half a dose to be metabolized and eliminated from your bloodstream. Acetaminophen half-life elimination for therapeutic doses is between one and two-and-a-half (2.5) hours.

However, the expected half-life of acetaminophen can vary from person to person. Factors that affect its half-life include age, genetics, weight and overall health. Generally, a therapeutic dose of acetaminophen flushes fully from your system within 24 hours.

An acetaminophen overdose can extend the half-life of the drug to four and eight, meaning it may take up to three times longer for you to get the drug out of your body. If you re-dose too soon following even a small overdose period, it can lead to an acute case of severe acetaminophen toxicity.

How Much Acetaminophen Is Too Much?

Aside from determining how long acetaminophen works and how long it stays in your system, the drug’s half-life also determines how much is too much to take. The goal of medication is to achieve a steady state, at which point the amount of the drug you ingest and the amount that’s eliminated are equal.

Regardless of a drug’s half-life, it takes approximately four times longer for its concentration to reach a steady state in your body. Acetaminophen side effects often occur when you’re not in a steady state. A small amount of acetaminophen is metabolized into the compound NAPQI, which can cause liver toxicity in large amounts.

Taking too much acetaminophen can cause acute liver damage, which can be fatal. As such, you should not exceed the 4,000 mg maximum daily dose recommendation (you should ideally stay closer to 3,000 mg). Acetaminophen may also effect blood pressure. One 2022 clinical research study found that regular daily intake of 4 g acetaminophen increased systolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension by about 5 mm Hg compared with a placebo.

Primary symptoms of acetaminophen overdose are:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive sweating
  • Jaundice
  • Irritability
  • Seizures
  • Coma

In case you suspect someone took an overdose of acetaminophen or if you see someone exhibit the above symptoms, you should immediately call 911, emergency medical services, a poison control center or a doctor.

Emergency room treatment will depend on the presenting condition and other drugs that may have been taken. If you make it to the hospital just after taking an overdose, the doctor will attempt to empty your stomach.

Doctors like to prescribe a dose of activated charcoal within four hours of an overdose to bind drugs remaining in your gastro-intestinal tract. They also give N-Acetylcysteine, an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity, orally or intravenously within eight hours.

Emergency doctors recommend that anyone suspected to have taken an acetaminophen overdose get treatment as soon as possible, even before the symptoms occur. Early treatment of acetaminophen overdose can improve the outcome significantly.

 

What Should I Avoid While Taking Fioricet?

Fioricet can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

fioricetwatsonsAvoid taking Fioricet with medications that affect your concentration, such as other narcotic pain relievers, general anesthetics, sleeping pills, anti-allergy medications, sedative-hypnotics, and tranquilizers (such as chlordiazepoxide). These may cause further drowsiness.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

While you are taking Fioricet, avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice.

Do not use Fioricet 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 Fioricet if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.

Medicines Containing Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in America. Fioricet capsules contain a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. 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.

More than 600 medicines contain acetaminophen. These include both prescription medicines and medicines available without a prescription, also called “over-the-counter,” or “OTC” medicines. To prevent acetaminophen overdose, you need to be able to read labels and recognize when their medicines contain acetaminophen.

The active ingredients in OTC medicines are clearly listed on the label, and the word “acetaminophen,” is listed on the front of the package or bottle and in the Active Ingredient section of the Drug Facts label. On prescription labels, acetaminophen is sometimes listed as “APAP,” “acetam,” or other shorted versions of the word.

To know what is in your medicines, read the list of active ingredients on the label each and every time you take a medicine.

You may be surprised to learn just how many medicines contain this acetaminophen:

Common Over-the-Counter Brand Name Medicines Containing Acetaminophen

  • Actifed®
  • Alka-Seltzer Plus LiquidGels®
  • Anacin®
  • Benadryl®
  • Cepacol®
  • Contac®
  • Coricidin®
  • Dayquil®
  • Dimetapp®
  • Dristan®
  • Excedrin®
  • Feverall®
  • Formula 44®
  • Goody’s®
  • Powders Liquiprin®
  • Midol®
  • Nyquil®
  • Panadol®
  • Robitussin®
  • Saint Joseph®
  • Aspirin-Free Singlet®
  • Sinutab®
  • Sudafed®
  • Theraflu®
  • Triaminic®
  • TYLENOL® Brand Products
  • Vanquish®
  • Vicks®
  • Zicam®
  • *And store brands

Common Prescription Medicines Containing Acetaminophen

  • Endocet®
  • Fioricet®
  • Hycotab
  • Hydrocet®
  • Hydrocodone Bitartrate
  • Lortab®
  • Percocet®
  • Phenaphen®
  • Sedapap®
  • Tapanol®
  • Tylenol® with Codeine
  • Tylox®
  • Ultracet®
  • Vicodin®
  • Zydone®
  • *And generic medicines

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.

What is muscle relaxants and What is the main side effect of Muscle Relaxants ?

Muscle relaxers or muscle relaxants are medications used to treat acute muscle pain and discomfort caused by muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions that cause excessive strain in muscles and are often associated with conditions such as lower back pain and neck pain.

Medications used as muscle relaxers can differ in their chemical structures and the way they work in the brain. In general, muscle relaxers act as central nervous system depressants and cause a sedative effect or prevent your nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. The onset of action is rapid and effects typically last from 4-6 hours.

Muscle Relaxants for Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are painful and may restrict mobility, which can limit your ability to perform even basic activities. Painful, tight muscles can also interfere with getting a good night’s sleep.

Muscle relaxants may help reduce pain, and improve movement and range of motion, but your doctor will likely recommend that you first try acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In some cases, these over-the-counter medications will be enough to help alleviate your pain.

If your muscle pain persists, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant in addition to your pain medication. Below are common muscle relaxants (the generic names are listed first, with a brand name example in parentheses):

  • Baclofen (Lioresal)
  • Carisoprodol (Soma)
  • Cyclobenzaprine (Amrix)
  • Metaxalone (Skelaxin)
  • Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

When You Might Need a Muscle Relaxer

Your doctor might first suggest you try an over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to treat your pain. But if those don’t work, or you can’t take them because you have another issue like liver problems or ulcers, you may need to try a muscle relaxant.

Muscle relaxants are ideally prescribed for acute rather than chronic pain. They may be an option if pain is preventing you from getting enough sleep. Because muscle relaxants cause drowsiness, they can help you get rest when you take them at night.

Some of the common side effects of muscle relaxers include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Irritability
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Dry mouth
  • Decreased blood pressure

The most commonly prescribed muscle relaxers are carisoprodol (Soma) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). According to data from IMS Health, there were 4.2 million prescriptions of Soma and 28.4 million prescriptions of Flexeril dispensed in the United States in 2017.

Muscle Relaxant List
Muscle Relaxant List

What Are Side Effects of Flexeril?

Common side effects of Flexeril include:

  • dry mouth or throat
  • headache
  • blurred vision
  • drowsiness
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach pain
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas, or
  • muscle weakness.

Dosage for Flexeril –  For most patients, the recommended dose of Flexeril is 5 mg three times a day.

You shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking muscle relaxants. These medications make it hard to think and function normally, even if you take a low dose, so combining them with alcohol can increase your risk of an accident.

You also shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery while taking muscle relaxants. Some muscle relaxers start working within 30 minutes of taking them, and the effects can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours

Muscle Relaxant Abuse

Muscle relaxers have a potential for abuse and addiction. Prolonged use can lead to increased tolerance and physical dependence, especially with Soma.3 For this reason, muscle relaxers are intended as a short-term treatment not to be prescribed for more than 2-3 weeks.

Unfortunately, many individuals take muscle relaxers alone or in combination with other illicit drugs for nonmedical reasons, such as to produce or enhance feelings of euphoria and dissociation. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Soma is one of the most commonly diverted drugs in the United States.2 Evidence also indicates prevalent misuse of Flexeril. In 2010 there were over 12,000 emergency room visits associated with Flexeril, and in 2016 over 10,000 calls to the Poison Control Centers had involved Flexeril.1

Muscle relaxer abuse can lead to serious dangers such as an increased risk of overdose, which can result in:

  • stupor
  • hallucinations
  • seizures
  • shock
  • respiratory depression
  • cardiac arrest
  • coma
  • death

Alcohol and Muscle Relaxers

Like muscle relaxers, alcohol also depresses the central nervous system. When alcohol is consumed with muscle relaxers the side effects are exacerbated. This can be very dangerous, leading to symptoms like:

  • Blurred vision
  • Urine retention
  • Extreme dizziness
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fainting
  • Memory problems
  • Liver damage
  • Increased risk of overdose

It is recommended to not drive or operate heavy machinery when under the influence of muscle relaxers. It is especially important to avoid drinking, as combining muscle relaxers with alcohol greatly increases your risk of an accident.

Withdrawal and Treatment

Regular use of muscle relaxers causes the brain to become used to its effects. If you attempt to suddenly stop using muscle relaxers you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the specific drug and how long you have been using it, there are various treatment options available to help you overcome your addiction.

For many people, Flexeril withdrawal causes mild symptoms such as nausea, headache, drowsiness, malaise, and discomfort. Symptoms tend to peak about 2-4 days after you last took the Flexeril, although in some people withdrawal symptoms may last for up to 1-2 weeks. For many people Flexeril detox can be done at home. However, if Flexeril addiction is accompanied by alcohol or opioid abuse the withdrawal symptoms from these other substances can be severe. In these situations, it may be best to undergo professional medical detox.

Soma withdrawal is usually more severe and can include symptoms like hallucinations and seizures. For your safety and comfort, it is often best to find an inpatient treatment program that includes a detox program to manage withdrawal symptoms. After detox patients can transition into the actual treatment phase of the program. Some people may not require a supervised detox program and will be able to undergo treatment on an outpatient basis.

Most inpatient and outpatient rehab programs include cognitive behavioral therapy that will help you learn the coping skills needed for long-term recovery.

Sources

  1. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2019). Cyclobenzaprine.
  2. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2019). Carisoprodol.
  3. Gonzalez, L.A., Gatch, M.B., Forster, M.J., & Dillon, G.H. (2009). Abuse Potential of Soma: the GABA(A) Receptor as a Target. Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, 1(4), 180-186.