Basic Information about Fioricet
What is Fioricet?

Fioricet is a medicine that combines three other chemical medicinal substances, namely acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine. These substances relieve pain and relax muscle contractions, among many other effects. Acetaminophen is a known pain reliever and fever medication. It is a no prescription drug and is very effective in treating headaches and muscle aches. It acts by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis inside our system. However, it does not act against the inflammation that may also cause pain in plenty of other cases. Butalbital, on the other hand, is under the classification of Barbiturates, which means that it works by relaxing muscle tension. It is usually combined with other drugs to create an effective medication for headches, fever, and other muscle pains. It is a prescription drug because of its habit-forming properties, so medicines with butalbital must be prescribed by physicians before patients can use it. Lastly, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and it is known for its effectiveness in relaxing muscle contractions. It is an effective headache and migraine medication because it constricts the enlarged or dilated blood vessels that cause the pain. Fioricet combines these three substances to bring to us an effective pain reliever. It contains 325 mg of acetaminophen, 50 mg of butalbital, and 40 mg of caffeine. It is a strong type of pain reliever and relaxant that is non-narcotic and is usually prescribed by doctors for patients suffering from headaches and migraines caused by muscle tension and contractions.

When not to take Fioricet

Since butalbital may be habit-forming, Fioricet also has the tendency to be addictive for some people. If you have been addicted or is addicted to some similar medicines or recreational drugs, you must not take this drug. If you still choose to take this particular medication, you have to monitor yourself properly to make sure that addiction is not a likely consequence. Pregnant women or those who plan to get pregnant should not take this as well. It may have some effects on developing babies and can easily be passed on from mother to child through breastmilk. Alcoholics or those who drink a lot of alcoholic drinks in a day should not take this because one of its components, acetaminophen, which may be harsh for the liver in huge dosages. Alcohol can further heighten the damaging components that cause liver damage and diseases. If you already have liver, kidney, or abdominal troubles, but it is essential for you to take this medication, you should take utmost care and monitoring. Before taking Fioricet, tell your doctors about your allergies, alcohol intake, other medicine intake, kidney and liver conditions, and even your daily activities that require alertness and attention. This medicine can cause sleepiness because of the butalbital. If you are on other medication, even over-the-counter drugs, you should honestly tell your physician because they may react to Fioricet. Also, you cannot take more than 2000 mg of acetaminophen in a day because this heightens the possibility of liver damage, so you must be careful when you are taking other drugs containing the substance. Safety and effectiveness among young age groups, those below 12 years old, have not yet been properly established.

Fioricet’s side effects

We cannot predict beforehand if you are going to experience side effects when taking this medication. If you experience any, inform your physician promptly to determine whether you should continue usage or not. The common side effects of this drug are drowsiness, lightheadedness, sedation, an intoxicated feeling, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Other rare side effects are as follows: earaches, nasal congestion, fever, allergic reactions, heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, constipation, muscle fatigue, leg pain, dry mouth, shaky feeling, numbness, seizures, heartburn, sluggishness, mental confusion, tachycardia or rapid heart rate, hot spells, heavy eyelids, excitement, fainting, high energy, skin rashes, and diuresis, among others. As mentioned earlier, it may also develop addiction so you must only take the dosages prescribed to you.

Maximum dosage of Fioricet that a patient can take

Fioricet comes in tablet form. Usually, a doctor prescribes one or two tablets every four hours, or as needed wich you can buy at online pharmacies. It depends on your medical history, intensity of headache or pain, age, and other basic and essential information. One cannot take more than six tablets in a day. You should not increase dosage without consulting your doctor because this might cause physical dependence. If you think that you have taken too much of this medicine, you should inform your doctor immediately. Severe cases of overdose can cause damage to one’s system and may even be fatal. Take the drug exactly as prescribed and handle it properly. Keep it in a tight container in a cool and dry place below 30˚ C (86˚ F). Be sure you keep it in a safe place to prevent your household members from accidentally taking it in case of mild headaches or fevers which does not require such strong medication.