Fiorinal with Codeine (Butalbital Compound With Codeine) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Fiorinal with Codeine

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...

Read the Tension Headache article »

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Fiorinal with Codeine User Reviews >>

Fiorinal with Codeine

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Patients should be informed that Fiorinal® with Codeine (Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine Phosphate Capsules, USP) contains aspirin and should not be taken by patients with an aspirin allergy.

Fiorinal® with Codeine (Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine Phosphate Capsules, USP) may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. Such tasks should be avoided while taking Fiorinal® with Codeine (Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine Phosphate Capsules, USP).

Alcohol and other CNS depressants may produce an additive CNS depression when taken with Fiorinal® with Codeine (Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine Phosphate Capsules, USP), and should be avoided.

Codeine and butalbital may be habit-forming. Patients should take the drug only for as long as it is prescribed, in the amounts prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.

For information on use in geriatric patients, refer to PRECAUTIONS, Geriatric Use.

Caution patients that some people have a variation in a liver enzyme and change codeine into morphine more rapidly and completely than other people. These people are ultra-rapid metabolizers and are more likely to have higher-than-normal levels of morphine in their blood after taking codeine which can result in overdose symptoms such as extreme sleepiness, confusion, or shallow breathing. In most cases, it is unknown if someone is an ultra-rapid codeine metabolizer.

Nursing mothers taking codeine can also have higher morphine levels in their breast milk if they are ultra-rapid metabolizers. These higher levels of morphine in breast milk may lead to life-threatening or fatal side effects in nursing babies. Instruct nursing mothers to watch for signs of morphine toxicity in their infants including increased sleepiness (more than usual), difficulty breastfeeding, breathing difficulties, or limpness. Instruct nursing mothers to talk to the baby's doctor immediately if they notice these signs and, if they cannot reach the doctor right away, to take the baby to an emergency room or call 911 (or local emergency services).

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/11/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.