Fioricet - an overview
Acetaminophen works as a fever reducer and pain reliever. Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines known as barbiturates and helps to relax muscle contractions that may cause tension headaches. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and eases the contractions that occur in blood vessels and increases the flow of blood.
This combination of caffeine, butalbital and acetaminophen has been shown to effectively treat headaches that are due to muscle contractions. These are called tension headaches. Caffeine, acetaminophen and butalbital can also be an effective treatment for other conditions that this guide does not cover.
Uses
Fioricet ingredients work together to help eliminate or reduce pain that headaches can cause; Butalbital and caffeine work together to help ease muscle contractions, while acetaminophen helps to block the enzymes that cause pain in tension headaches.
Fioricet has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of tension headaches. This kind of headache can be caused from muscle contractions that occur in the shoulders, neck and head and can create feelings of tightness in the neck and shoulders. Stress is often the cause of tension headaches.
Health care professionals have the flexibility to use this medication for uses that have not been approved and this medication is often used for the treatment of severe pain that migraines can cause.
Fioricet - the maker
Even though Fioricet is now made as a generic drug, Novartis was the original manufacturer. Since then, Watson Pharmaceuticals has purchased the Fioricet rights from the original Novartis.
What it does
Butalbital does have a depressant effect on the central nervous system. When taken in doses that are very high, it can have secondary effects. Acetaminophen helps to reduce fevers and pain; the effects of this medication may be accomplished by blocking the enzymes that cause pains. Caffeine has been thought to cause the blood vessels in the head to constrict.
Secondary effects
You should seek emergency medical care if you have any of the signs of allergic reaction to this medication:
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of the throat, face, tongue and lips
- Hives
You should quit using Fioricet and call your health care professional right away if you notice any of the listed serious side effects:
- Rapid, uneven or pounding heart beat
- Feelings of light headedness or shortness of breath
- Upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea or clay colored stools
- Itching, yellowing of the eyes or skin, clay colored stools, dark urine
- Bruise or bleed easily, unusual feelings of weakness
- Flu like symptoms, chills, fever or body aches
Generic forms
The generic name of Firoicet is Butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine. This means that the brand name "Fioricet" was from the first maker. Since the time that this medication was first made, the rights have been sold and it is now sold as a generic.
