Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine come together to form the medication commonly known as Fioricet. Supplies as tablets for oral administration, Fioricet is generally recommended for tension muscular headaches but also for the following medical conditions: migraines, degenerative disease of the spine, fibromyalgia (rheumatoid disorder characterized by pain and muscle rigidity), spondylolisthesis (vertebra dislocation creating pressure on the spinal nerves, causing intense pain) and for premenstrual pain.

Fioricet tablets contain the above-mentioned ingredients: butalbital 50 mg, acetaminophen 325 mg and caffeine 40 mg. Inactive ingredients include: magnesium stearate, cellulose, starch and stearic acid. Given the fact that butalbital can be addictive, Fioricet is prescribed with increased attention. Butalbital is part of the barbiturate class of drugs, having both sedative and hypnotic properties. It slows down the functioning of the central nervous system, having the same effect on nerve impulses. All these properties finally induce relaxation, relief from the intense pain felt. Acetaminophen is a mild analgesic with antipyretic properties. Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous system but also contributed to the constriction of blood vessels, reducing the consequences of severe tension headaches.

What are the potential side-effects of Fioricet? The combination between these three drugs can lead to severe allergic reactions with dsypnea, throat closing up (edema of the glottis, the speech organ) and swelling of the lips, tongue or face in general. Emergency medical assistance is required in patients with slow breathing, irregular heartbeat and all the signs mentioned above. Serious liver damage can also happen in case of large quantities of acetaminophen. The harmful effects of prolonged Fioricet treatments are noticeable through the following symptoms: icterus (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes), feelings of sickness, abdominal pain and general discomfort. Patients might also experience intense weakness. Liver damage is commonly linked to blood problems, including strange bleeding or easy bruising. Long-term Fioricet treatments can also modify the concentration of glucose in the blood, with fatigue, vertigo and passing out as symptoms.

The important thing to understand about the symptoms mentioned above is they appear on rare occasions. The doctor must be notified about their existence and perform a thorough investigation in order to determine underlying causes of these unusual reactions. The best thing for you to do is stop taking the medication step-by-step (not all of a sudden as you risk powerful withdrawal symptoms to appear) and wait for your doctor’s approval before re-starting the treatment. Fioricet may also make you feel dizzy, drowsy and tired but these are not serious side-effects. They usually appear at the start of the treatment and diminish in intensity after a while. Fioricet will make your mouth to feel dry (xerostomia) and provoke nausea or vomiting. This medication is also responsible for appetite loss, muscular fatigue and cramps. In some cases, side-effects include agitation and feelings of intoxication.

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