Fioricet- Fighting Against Severe, Recurring Headaches

Fioricet is combination between three drugs, meaning paracetamol (acetaminophen), butalbital (hypnotic drug, part of the barbiturate class) and caffeine. These substances are found in different doses, being recommended under this formula for the treatment of serious headaches, caused by intense muscle contractions. Fioricet contains 325 mg of acetaminophen, 50 mg of butalbital and 40 mg of caffeine. The drug is also prescribed as symptomatic treatment for migraines.

The constant and excessive use of Fioricet can lead to repetitive headaches. This is why it is important to contact your doctor and ask for additional information regarding this treatment. Fioricet is usually administered in a dosage of 1-2 tablets every 4 hours and doctors recommend a maximum intake of 6 tablets over a period of 24 hours.

Each ingredient of Fioricet has a different mechanism of action, having diverse benefits. Acetaminophen is known for its pain-killing and fever reducing effects, while caffeine is a stimulant for the central nervous system, relaxing the muscles of blood vessels. By promoting blood flow into a certain territory, caffeine reduces the pain produced by tension headaches and the patient's general status is improved rapidly. As for butalbital, this medication is known for its effects on the nervous system. Having a similar effect as caffeine, butalbital relaxes the muscles involved in the tension headache. The one thing you have to remember is that high doses of butalbital can cause the depression of the central nervous system and even lead to more serious consequences.

Butalbital has been carefully analyzed before it was introduced on the market in combination with acetaminophen and caffeine. The medication has a very long half life, of 35 hours, being extremely efficient when it comes to treating muscle contraction headaches. Acetaminophen is preferred for both the analgesic and antipyretic effects, having a half life of maximum 3 hours. That interval is usually increased in patients who suffer from liver disease or those who overdosed. The side-effects of Fioricet include: vertigo, somnolence, feelings of intoxication, nausea and vomiting, drugging, difficult breathing, abdominal pain and dependence (long-term usage, high intake). Fioricet is also available in combination with codeine.

You should not take Fioricet if you have recently followed a treatment with MAO inhibitors. Doctors recommend a waiting period before the drug is eliminated from the body. Those who take Fioricet and MAO inhibitors at the same time can suffer from dangerous adverse reactions, almost life-threatening. Also, patients are advised to take the medication as it was prescribed and never in higher doses than indicated. An overdose of acetaminophen can do a lot of harm to the liver, genuine damage to this vital organ. If you decide to take other drugs, be sure to tell your doctor about them. You might want to reduce your intake of alcohol, as the combination between these beverages and Fioricet can increase your risk for liver damage.

Doctors prescribe Fioricet with great attention, given the fact that it contains butalbital which is likely to cause dependence. They recommend each patient to keep the medication for himself/herself, not share it or give it to those who have a history of substance abuse. The medication must be kept safely and in order for the treatment to work one is indicated to follow the exact prescription. In case you drink large quantities of alcohol per day or you have been diagnosed with liver disease due to alcoholism, it is for the best that you consult your doctor before taking Fioricet. The drug is also contraindicated to those who have demonstrated a previous allergy to any of the ingredients presented and neither to those who suffer from certain congenital disease, such as porphyria.

The dosage of Fioricet might need adjustment in case you have kidney or liver disease, or have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Fioricet is not recommended in pregnant women, as it can be harmful to an unborn baby. The same contraindication is maintained for women who plan on getting pregnant and also for those who are breast-feeding. Studies have shown that Fioricet can pass into the breast milk, thus causing unwanted side-effects to the newborn baby.

If you have stomach problems, you are advised to take Fioricet with food or at least a glass of milk. Always be careful with the dosage of Fioricet, as high quantities can lead to serious side-effects. When it comes to acetaminophen, the maximum recommended dose is of 1 g per dose and no more than 4 g per day. Patient-controlled studies have shown that increased and repeated doses of acetaminophen are likely to produce liver damage. A tablet of Fioricet contains 750 mg of acetaminophen, two tablets per day representing less than half of the maximum amount allowed. The medication is efficient but one should never forget about the dependence aspect.

If you have missed a dose, be sure to take a tablet as soon as you remember. Still, do not take increased quantities in order to correct the skipped dosage. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following overdose symptoms: extreme agitation, tremor, diarrhea, excessive sweating, difficult breathing, faintness, seizures or coma. As this medication has effect on the central nervous system, you should not engage in activities that require for you to concentrate and remain alert. Do not drive, as you put yourself in danger and other people as well. Stay safe and follow the treatment as told.