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What side effects may occur?
Fioricet may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, driving or operating dangerous machinery or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness is not recomme
nded until you know your response to this drug.
If you are being treated for severe depression or have a history of severe depression or drug abuse, consult with your doctor before taking Fi
oricet.
Use this drug with caution if you are elderly or in a weakened condition, if you have liver or kidney problems, or if you have severe abdominal trouble
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Description
Fioricet, a strong, non-narcotic pain reliever and relaxant, is prescribed for the relief of tension headache symptoms caused by muscle contractions in the head, neck, and shoulder area. It combines a
sedative barbiturate (butalbital), a non-aspirin pain reliever (acetaminophen), and caffeine.
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How should this medicine be used?
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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Overdose
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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Other Medicines
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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Other medical problems
Before taking acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor if
you have or have ever had liver disease, porphyria, or depression.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this
medication, call your doctor.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can
add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
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