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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Do not take acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine -Fioricet if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in
the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result. Acetaminophen and butalbital may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your do
ctor approves. Many other medicines contain acetaminophen, especially over-the-counter pain, fever, cold, and allergy medications. Too much acetaminophen can be very dangerous. Drugs other than those
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Overdosage
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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Before Using This Medicine
PregnancyˇX
- 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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Special warnings about this medication
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.
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How to Use
People who get a lot of headaches may need to take a different medicine to help prevent headaches. It is important that you follow your doctor's directions about taking the other medicine, even if you
r headaches continue to occur. Headache-preventing medicines may take several weeks to start working. Even after they do start working, your headaches may not go away completely. However, your headach
es should occur less often, and they should be less severe and easier to relieve than before. This will reduce the amount of headache relievers that you need. If you do not notice any improvement afte
r several weeks of headache-preventing treatment, check with your doctor.
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What Is It
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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