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May 27, 2012

Fioricet

Tension Headache »

Introduction

Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults. They are commonly referred to as stress headaches.

A tension headache may appear periodically ("episodic," less than 15 days per month) or daily ("chronic," more than 15 days per month). An episodic tension headache may be described as a mild to moderate constant band-like pain, tightness, or pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck.

These headaches may last from 30 minutes to several days. Episodic tension headaches usually begin gradually, and often occur in the middle of the day.

The "severity" of a tension headache increases significantly with its frequency. Chronic tension headaches come and go over a prolonged period of time. The pain is usually throbbing and affects the front, top, or sides of the head. Although the pain may vary in intensity throughout the day, the pain is almost always present. Chronic tension headaches do not affec...

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Fioricet Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Alagesic, Anolor 300, Dolgic LQ, Dolgic Plus, Esgic, Esgic-Plus, Fioricet, Geone, Margesic, Medigesic, Repan, Zebutal

Generic Name: acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine (Pronunciation: a SEET a MIN oh fen, bue TAL bi tal, and KAF een)

What is acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine (Fioricet)?

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.

The combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.

Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

APAP-Butalb-Caffeine 325-50-40 mg Tab-MAL

round, white, imprinted with M inside square, 970

APAP-Butalbital-Caffeine 325-50-40 mg-WAT

oblong, white, imprinted with 3416, WPI

APAP-Butalbital-Caffeine Cap-QUA

white, imprinted with 59743, 004

APAP-BUT-CAFF-QUA

oblong, white, imprinted with MIA 110

Esgic Cap

green/white, imprinted with LOGO, 535-12

Esgic Plus

oblong, white, imprinted with FOREST, 678

Fioricet

round, blue, imprinted with FIORICET S, LOGO

Fiorpap

round, blue, imprinted with CP, 275

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
feeling light-headed or short of breath;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

drowsiness;
dizziness, confusion or lightheadedness;
dry mouth;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
feeling anxious or jittery;
drunk feeling; or
headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine?

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause damage to your liver.

Do not use any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many combination medicines. If you use certain products together you may accidentally use too much acetaminophen. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

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