Generic name: Acetaminophen, Butalbital, and Caffeine

Brand name: Fioricet (fee or e set)

 WHY is this drug prescribed?

WHEN should it be used?

HOW should it be used?

 What SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS should I follow while using this drug?

 What SIDE EFFECTS can this medication cause? What can I do about them?

 What OTHER PRECAUTIONS should I follow while using this drug?
 
 

WHY is this drug prescribed? The combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine is effective in relieving migraine and tension headaches.

WHEN should it be used? Fioricet is taken immediately at the onset of headache. If you have an aura before your migraines (flashing lights, vision changes, tingling), you should take the Fioricet during this aura.

HOW should it be used? Fioricet comes in tablets and capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. In general, one to two tablets of Fioricet can be taken every 4 hours for headaches.

• Swallow the capsules whole.
• Do not take more than 8 tablets per day unless specifically directed by your doctor.

What SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS should I follow while using this drug?

• This medication can cause drowsiness and sleepiness - do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Do not take alcohol. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness and stomach irritation.
• Keep all appointments with your doctor so that your doctor can monitor your response to this medication.
• Take Fioricet exactly as your doctor has directed. Do not take more of it or take it more often than as instructed.
• It is often helpful to keep a log or a diary to track your pain. Write down the length of time and the severity of the pain on a scale from 1 to 10.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medication cause? What can I do about them?

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain - Take Fioricet after meals or with a full glass of water or milk. Contact your doctor if the nausea persists.
• Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion - Contact your doctor if these effects are severe.
• Itching, skin rash, difficulty breathing, yellowish skin or eyes - Stop taking this medication and contact your doctor. Too much of this medication can cause liver damage.
• Fioricet can be used sparingly during pregnancy. Birth defects have not been demonstrated with Fioricet but it is best to be safe and stop the medication if possible.
• If you take large doses of this medication for a long time, you may have severe headaches for a few days after stopping the drug. Contact your doctor about alternate medications.

What OTHER PRECAUTIONS should I follow while using this drug?

• Before you take Fioricet, tell your doctor if you are pregnant (or even if you think you could become pregnant), breast-feeding, have a history of liver disease or depression.
• Tell your doctor what prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants (blood thinners), warfarin, coumadin, acetazolamide, corticosteroids, or methotrexate.
• Do not take this medication with alcohol, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had a bad reaction to butalbital, phenobarbital, seconal, caffeine, or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature. Throw away any medication that smells strongly of vinegar.
• Do not allow anyone else to take your medications.