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Cautions
Before you have any medical tests, tell the person in charge that you are taking this medicine. Caffeine (present in some butalbital and acetaminophen combinations) interferes with the results of cert
ain tests that use dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine) to help show how well blood is flowing to your heart. Caffeine should not be taken for 8 to 12 hours before the test. The results of other tests may
also be affected by butalbital and acetaminophen combinations.
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Butalbital slows the central nervous system (CNS) and intensifies the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants. Use of alcohol with this drug may also cause overdose symptoms. Avoid alcoholic beve
rages while taking Fioricet.
It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Fioricet with the following:
- Antihistamines such as Benadryl
- Drugs known
as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
- Drugs to treat depression such as Elavil
- Major tranquilizers such as Haldol and Thorazine
- Muscle
relaxants such as Flexeril
- Narcotic pain relievers such as Darvon
- Sleep aids such as Halcion
- Tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium
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Side Effects of This Medicine
More common side effects may include:
- Abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, intoxicated feeling, light-headedness, nausea, sedation, shortness of breath, vomiting
Less common or rare
side effects may include:
- Agitation, allergic reactions, constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, earache, exaggerated feeling of well-being, excessive sweating, excessive u
rination, excitement, fainting, fatigue, fever, flatulence, headache, heartburn, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, itching, leg pain, mental confusion, muscle fatigue, numbness, rapid heartbeat,
ringing in the ears, seizure, shaky feeling, skin redness and/or peeling, sluggishness, stuffy nose, tingling
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How should you take this medication?
Take acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine - Fioricet exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take
each dose with a full glass of water. Take acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Never take more acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine than is prescribed f
or you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor. Store acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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What special precautions should I follow?
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For butalbital and acetaminophen combinat
ions, the following should be considered:
Allergies¡XTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to butalbital or other barbiturates, or to acetaminophen, aspirin,
r caffeine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
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Overdose
Anxiety, confusion, excitement, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, or trouble in sleeping (severe, especially with products containing caffeine) ; convulsions (seizures) (for products containin
g caffeine); diarrhea, especially if occurring together with increased sweating, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps or pain; dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or weakness, (severe) ; freque
nt urination (for products containing caffeine) ; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); increased sensitivity to touch or pain (for products containing caffeine);
muscle trembling or twitching (for products containing caffeine); nausea or vomiting, sometimes with blood;
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