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Why is this medication prescribed?
Some butalbital and acetaminophen combinations also contain caffeine (KAF-een) . Caffeine may help to relieve headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long
time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.
Butalbital and acetaminophen combination may also be used for other kinds of headaches or other kinds of pain a
s determined by your doctor.
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Special warnings about this medication
If you have been taking large amounts of this medicine, or if you have been taking it regularly for several weeks or more, do not suddenly stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your
doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely in order to lessen the chance of withdrawal side effects.
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Side Effects
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?
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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Before Using This Medicine
Pregnancy¡X
- For butalbital: Barbiturates such as butalbital have been shown to increase the chance of birth defects in humans. Also, one study in humans has suggested that barbiturates tak
n during pregnancy may increase the chance of brain tumors in the baby.Butalbital may cause breathing problems in the newborn baby if taken just before or during delivery.
- For acetaminophen: Al
though studies on birth defects with acetaminophen have not been done in pregnant women, it has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems.
- For caffeine: Use of large amounts of
caffeine during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm and the growth of the fetus.
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Overdosage
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,
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