Fioricet- Relieve Tension Headaches

Fioricet is a medication recommended for the treatment of tension headaches. This particular type of cephalalgia is located at the back of the head, being also known as a muscle contraction headache. It is commonly caused by accumulated tension, often times a direct result of overworking and added psychological stress. Fioricet is available as tablets, which are administered orally. The active ingredients in this prescription medication are represented by acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine. The tablets are small, light-blue and round, with dots and they do not have a film-coat. They are easy to identify since they have the word Fioricet engraved on them. Inactive ingredients include magnesium stearate, povidone and stearic acid, among others.

Acetaminophen is one of the most used analgesics on the market, also recognized for the antipyretic effect. The medication is part of the non-steroidal analgesic steroids, having no opiate or salicylate properties. Butalbital is a well-known barbiturate, which is likely to produce tolerance, not to mention mental and physical dependence. Patients are advised to take Fioricet with caution, especially when it comes to high doses or prolonged usage. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system, reducing the muscular tension efficiently.

Each of the ingredients in Fioricet is likely to cause side-effects or adverse reactions. These are dosage dependent but they also differ according to the person taking the medication. Acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine can cause severe allergic reactions, necessitating immediate medical intervention. A person might experience red and itchy skin eruptions, labored respiration, swelling of the face or throat and in rare cases, thrombocytopenia. All these symptoms pinpoint to an allergic reaction and they represent a medical emergency. Serious side-effects caused by Fioricet treatments include: variable pulse, vertigo, nausea, stomach pain, anorexia, urine coloration and fever. Patients also describe their mouth to be dry and feelings of anxiety to appear after prolonged treatments with Fioricet.

The list of adverse reactions is incredibly diverse, depending on the individuality of each patient. Clinical trials have shown Fioricet to have important effects on the central nervous system, with somatic sensations, agitation, numbness and passing out. In some cases, patients experienced excessive sweating, flatulence and tachycardia. Frequent urination, tinnitus and heartburns are also possible to appear, although rather sporadic. Caffeine overdose can lead to excessive stimulation of the heart, accompanied by severe irritability and dependence-related symptoms. Butalbital can be habit-forming and thus abused by those with a medical history of substance addiction. The extended and repeated intake of Fioricet is not recommended, the treatment being prolonged only with the approval of the doctor.

Fioricet can interact with diverse medication, enhancing their effect and causing unwanted consequences. None of the three ingredients (butalbital, acetaminophen or caffeine) should be administered at the same time with narcotics, anesthetics, sedative, hypnotics or any other medication which is likely to depress the central nervous system. The same contraindication goes for excessive alcohol consumption, associated with Fioricet tablets. The medication is prescribed only by experienced healthcare professionals, with caution in patients that present higher risks (senior citizens or those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness). There are certain patients who might require dosage adjustment, including those who suffer from kidney or liver disease. The medication is not recommended to be taken by children, pregnant women or nursing mothers. In the first case, neither the efficacy nor the safety of the drug has been determined. Fioricet can pass through the placenta and also into the mother's milk, affecting the baby.

Other drug interactions of Fioricet include:

• Antibiotics;
• Anticoagulants - Warfarin;
• Anti-seizure medication - Phenobarbital (long-acting barbiturate);
• Gout medication - uricosuric drugs, such as Probenecid;
• MAO inhibitors;
• Steroids - cortisol analogues, such as Prednisone;
• Medication used to treat depression.

At any point of the treatment with Fioricet, the doctor should perform thorough investigations and control the dosage. Butalbital overdose can cause serious symptoms with mental confusion, somnolence, and low blood pressure. In more severe situations, patients can suffer from respiratory depression, hypovolemic shock and even enter into a coma. The overdose for acetaminophen depends on the dosage and often times, the liver is affected through hepatic necrosis. A large dose of Fioricet can manifest through nausea, vomiting and excessive sweating. Caffeine overdosing can cause sleep disorders, with insomnia and excessive agitation.

Fioricet is an effective medication for treating muscular tension headaches but its efficiency depends extremely on taking it the right way. Butalbital is well absorbed after oral administration and is rapidly distributed to the suffering tissues. The medication binds to plasmatic proteins to a varying extent, being eliminated through the kidneys as the parent drug and its metabolites. Acetaminophen has a good absorption percent when given orally, being metabolized in the liver and excreted as its metabolites in the urine. Clinical studies have shown that the medication is found in the urine after 24 hours (85%). Caffeine is also absorbed with oral administration and excreted in the urine.

If your doctor recommended Fioricet for you, then be sure to take it exactly as it was prescribed. Follow the treatment for as long as is needed but never exceed your dosage or the period indicated. Contact your doctor in case upsetting effects appear and seek immediate medical attention if you notice the symptoms of allergic reactions.