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What special precautions should I follow?
Older adults¡X
- For butalbital: Certain side effects, such as confusion, excitement, or mental depression, may be especially likely to occur in elderly patients, who are usually more sensit
ve than younger adults to the effects of the butalbital in this combination medicine.
- For acetaminophen: Acetaminophen has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or
problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
- For caffeine: There is no specific information comparing use of caffeine in the elderly with use in other age groups
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How to Use
This medicine will relieve a headache best if you take it as soon as the headache begins. If you get warning signs of a migraine, take this medicine as soon as you are sure that the migraine is coming
. This may even stop the headache pain from occurring. Lying down in a quiet, dark room for a while after taking the medicine also helps to relieve headaches.
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
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)¡XThese 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)¡XThe chance of side effects may be increased
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What Is It
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that slow down your central nervous system (brain and nerve impulses) causing relaxation. Caff
eine is believed to constrict dilated blood vessels that may contribute to tension headaches. Together, acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine are used to relieve complex tension (muscle contraction)
headaches although precisely how it works is unknown. Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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Overdosage
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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Precautions while Using this Medicine
If you think you or anyone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of this medicine or taking alcohol or CNS depressants with this medicine may
lead to unconsciousness or possibly death. Signs of butalbital overdose include severe drowsiness, confusion, severe weakness, shortness of breath or unusually slow or troubled breathing, slurred spe
ech, staggering, and unusually slow heartbeat. Signs of severe acetaminophen poisoning may not occur until 2 to 4 days after the overdose is taken, but treatment to prevent liver damage or death must
be started within 24 hours or less after the overdose is taken.
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