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Description
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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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
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For butalbital and acetaminophen combinat
ions, the following should be considered:
AllergiesˇXTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to butalbital or other barbiturates, or to acetaminophen, aspirin,
r caffeine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
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Drug Interactions
When you are taking a butalbital and acetaminophen combination, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Anticoagulants (b
lood thinners), or
- Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
- Contraceptives, oral (birth control pills) containing estrogen, or
- Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines) or
- Cortic
otropin (e.g., ACTH)ˇXButalbital may make these medicines less effective
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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 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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