What is Fioricet?
Fioricet capsules contain a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
Fioricet is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.
Extended and repeated use of Fioricet is not recommended because of the potential for physical dependence.
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Warnings
You should not use Fioricet if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.
Do not use Fioricet if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
Do not take more Fioricet than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking Fioricet and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Before taking this medicine
Do not use Fioricet if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
You should not use Fioricet if you are allergic to it, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other opioids.
To make sure Fioricet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
- kidney disease;
- stomach ulcer or bleeding;
- a history of skin rash caused by any medication; or
- a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts.
It is not known whether Fioricet will harm an unborn baby. If you use butalbital while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Fioricet is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.
How should I take Fioricet?
Take Fioricet exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take more of this medication than recommended. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Butalbital may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Butalbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Headache:
Butalbital 50 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg/caffeine 40 mg: 1 or 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed not to exceed 6 capsules per day
Uses: For the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Headache:
12 years or older: Butalbital 50 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg/caffeine 40 mg: 1 or 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed not to exceed 6 capsules per day
Comments:
-Due to high rate of physical dependence, the extended use of this drug is not recommended.
-The safety and efficacy of treating multiple recurrent headaches with this product is not known.
Uses: For the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.
Popular FAQ
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Fioricet is not a controlled substance. However, butalbital belongs to a class of drugs known as barbiturates. These drugs are habit-forming and can be abused. For this reason, it’s not recommended to take Fioricet long-term.
Fioricet is not the same as Excedrin. Fioricet contains butalbital, which is available by prescription only. Excedrin products are available over the counter and contain different combinations of aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine and diphenhydramine:
| Excedrin Extra Strength | Excedrin Migraine | Excedrin Tension Headache | Excedrin PM Headache | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | 250 mg | 250 mg | 500 mg | 250 mg |
| Aspirin | 250 mg | 250 mg | 250 mg | |
| Caffeine | 65 mg | 65 mg | 65 mg | |
| Diphenhydramine | 38 mg |
Because butalbital is habit-forming, it is not recommended to take Fioricet every day. It’s possible to build up a tolerance to butalbital. Over time, higher doses may be needed to have the same effect, leading to drug dependence. Taking higher doses of Fioricet can also increase the chance of an overdose.
Fioricet is intended for occasional use every 4 hours when symptoms occur.
Fioricet contains three different drugs. Each drug is estimated to stay in your body for a different amount of time.
- Acetaminophen is eliminated after about 6 to 15 hours
- Caffeine is eliminated after about 15 hours
- Butalbital is eliminated after about 7 days
Butalbital affects the central nervous system and can make you sleepy. It can also cause lightheadedness, dizziness and mental confusion. Drowsiness is also one of the first signs of an overdose from barbiturates.
Fioricet contains 40 mg of caffeine, similar to a cup of tea. The following shows the average amount of caffeine in some common beverages:
- 8 oz of coffee: 80 to 100 mg of caffeine
- 8 oz green or black tea: 30 to 50 mg of caffeine
- 12 oz caffeinated soda: 30 to 40 mg of caffeine
In clinical studies, weight loss was not a reported side effect from Fioricet. However, it can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Having those side effects may lead to a decreased appetite and lead to weight loss.
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Fioricet only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.