|
|
Description
Fioricet, a strong, non-narcotic pain reliever and relaxant, is prescribed for the relief of tension headache symptoms caused by muscle contractions in the head, neck, and shoulder area. It combines a
sedative barbiturate (butalbital), a non-aspirin pain reliever (acetaminophen), and caffeine.
|
Symptoms of overdose may include:
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine - Fioricet overdose include insomnia, restlessness, tremor, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating,
seizures, drowsiness, decreased breathing,
|
Other medical problems
Breast-feedingˇX
- For butalbital: Barbiturates such as butalbital pass into the breast milk and may cause drowsiness, unusually slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing in
nursing babies.
- For acetaminophen: Although acetaminophen has not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies, it passes into the breast milk in small amounts.
- For caffeine: Caffeine
(present in some butalbital and acetaminophen combinations) passes into the breast milk in small amounts. Studies have shown that nursing babies may appear jittery and have trouble in sleeping when th
eir mothers drink large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages.
|
|
|
|
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
|
Drug Interactions
It is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Antidepressants, tricyclic (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine [e.g., Asendi
n], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Pertofrane], doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g., Aventyl], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [
e.g., Surmontil]) or
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that often cause drowsiness)ˇXThese medicines may add to the effects of butalbital and increase the chance of drowsiness
or other side effects
- Divalproex (e.g., Depakote) or
- Valproic acid (e.g., Depakene)ˇXThe chance of side effects may be increased
|
Precautions while Using this Medicine
This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangero
us if you are dizzy or are not alert and clearheaded.
|
|
