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Drug Interactions
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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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 side effects can this medication cause?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine - Fioricet and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathi
ng; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); slow, weak breathing; liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleedin
g or bruising, severe fatigue); blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising); or low blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst,
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Before Using This Medicine
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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Overdose
Symptoms of Fioricet overdose can be due to its barbiturate or its acetaminophen component.
Symptoms of barbiturate poisoning may include:
- Coma, confusion, drowsiness, low blood press
ure, shock, slow or troubled breathing
Overdose due to the acetaminophen component of Fioricet may cause kidney and liver damage, blood disorders, or coma due to low blood sugar. Massive dos
es may cause liver failure.
Symptoms of liver damage include:
- Excess perspiration, feeling of bodily discomfort, nausea, vomiting
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Why is this drug prescribed?
Butalbital and acetaminophen (byoo-TAL-bi-tal and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen) combination is a pain reliever and relaxant. It is used to treat tension headaches. Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines
called barbiturates (bar-BI-tyoo-rates) . Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.
When you take butalbital for a long time, your body may get used to i
t so that larger amounts are needed to produce the same effects. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, butalbital may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) when it is
used for a long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.
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