Fioricet: Agent for Tension Headaches

If your doctor has recently prescribed Fioricet, and had diagnosed you with migraines, this literature is beneficial to you, as it may help you become more familiar and comfortable with Fioricet, which is a combination of Acetaminophen, Butalbital, and Caffeine.

Fioricet comes in a tablet form. Each blue tablet contains 50 milligrams of Butalbital, 325 milligrams of acetaminophen, and 40 milligrams of caffeine. Fioricet is used for the relief of the symptoms of complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

If you do not have liver problems, the adult maximum dose of acetaminophen is 4 grams per day, which is equal to 4000 milligrams. If you take more than the maximum daily amount, it may cause serious, and possibly fatal, liver disease. Your doctor may recommend that you take one to two tablets every four hours as needed, but you are never to exceed six tablets per day. Also, Fioricet is not recommended for children under twelve years of age.

Fioricet has a tendency to cause lightheadedness, dizziness and drowsiness. Stomach upset, nausea, and sleeping disturbances may occur in the first few days as your body adjusts to the Fioricet. If these become severe and impairing in any way, inform your doctor immediately. Rapid and/or irregular heartbeat is not normal. If you experience this, or if you experience severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, extreme fatigue, also contact your physician. An allergic reaction to Fioricet is not likely, but seek immediate medical attention if does happen. Symptoms to look out for indicating an allergic reaction to Fioricet include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

The three drugs in Fioricet work together to provide relief from tension headaches. The Acetaminophen in Fioricet produces analgesia by ceasing the production of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. Analgesia is also produced through a peripheral action of blocking pain impulse generation. Butalbital makes sensory cortex depression through inhibition of conduction in the reticular formation at the level of the thalamus. Caffeine produces central nervous system stimulation by stopping the phosphodiesterase which in turn increases the accumulation of c-AMP (cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate.)

Fioricet may decrease the pharmacological effects of oral anticoagulants, corticosteroids, estrogens, griseofulvin (an anti-fungal drug), doxycycline, theophyllines, quinidine, and beta-adrenergic blockers. Fioricet may increase the toxic effects of methoxyflurane (a general anesthetic). If Fioricet is used with hydantoins or sulfinpyrazone, hepatotoxicity potential increases. Fioricet may have an additive toxic effect with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

If you are a patient who is overly sensitive to any component of Fioricet, Fioricet may not be for you. If you have increased intracranial pressure, any head injury, severe hepatic or renal impairment, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, and prostatic hypertrophy or urethral stricture, use Fioricet with caution.

Fioricet may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and lightheadedness. Since Fioricet does cause lightheadedness, use with caution while operating machinery or when you're in situations that require mental alertness, such as driving. While taking Fioricet, avoid all forms of alcohol. You may take Fioricet with food of milk if stomach upset occurs otherwise. Store Fioricet in a cool, dry place...away from sunlight and children. You should be warned that Fioricet is very habit-forming, should only be used under close supervision. Take Fioricet only for as long as it is prescribed, in the amounts it is prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.

With proper use, your tension headaches and migraine should be assuaged. If you feel as if Fioricet isn't doing the job, consult with your physician so that he may prescribe another medication to you.