FIORICET

	Generic Name: Acetaminophen / Butalbital / Caffeine Typical Brand Names: Fioricet® Classification: Pain Relief
Fioricet medication treats tension headaches by relaxing muscles in the shoulders, neck, and head areas and by relieving pain. Fioricet medication contains acetaminophen, caffeine, and barbiturate.

(These are common indications for Fioricet. There may be additional conditions not listed here. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your specific condition).

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Fioricet Uses:
Fioricet contains acetaminophen, which reduces fever and relieves pain. Fioricet is considered a barbiturate. This slows the brain and nerve impulses in the central nervous system, thereby causing relaxation. It also contains caffeine. This is thought to contrict blood vessels that, when dilated, might cause tension headaches. These three drugs, Fioricet, acetaminophen, and caffeine ease tension headaches caused by muscle contraction. It's not known exactly how it works.

Fioricet Directions:
Take Fioricet according to your doctor's instructions. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. You should take each pill with a full glass of water. If Fioricet upsets your stomach, you can take it with milk or other food. Do not take more than you have been prescribed. If you feel you need more pain relief, talk to your doctor.

Fioricet Side Effects:
Some people have negative side effects while using Fioricet, including seizures; fast or irregular heart beats; or allergic symptoms, including difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, or hives. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking Fioricet and get immediate medical care. Other rare but serious side effects include liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); slow, weak breathing; blood problems (easy or unusual bleeding or bruising); or low blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, dizziness, or fainting). Speak to your doctor if you experience mild side effects such as drowsiness; shortness of breath; dizziness, confusion or lightheadedness; dry mouth; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or decreased appetite; tiredness, leg pain, or muscle weakness; irritability, nervousness, agitation, anxiety or excitability; rash or itching; feeling of intoxication; headache; or constipation.

Fioricet Warnings:
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Fioricet will cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Avoid sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers except under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make you drowsy. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with acetaminophen and Fioricet can be very damaging to your liver and can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Check the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. You should not exceed 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

Fioricet Drug Interactions:
You should not use Fioricet if you have used monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last two weeks. This combination can sometimes cause serious reactions. Minimize your use of sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or antihistamines, since they can cause increased drowsiness. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, and don't take any others without letting him or her know. Several other medications contain acetaminophen as well, including cold, allergy, pain, and fever reducers. Be careful not to take too much acetaminophen. Some other medicines may also interact with acetaminophen. Check with your doctor if you plan to take any new prescriptions.

Fioricet Missed Dose:
You should not try to make up for missed doses of Fioricet. After skipping a dose, just continue with your scheduled dosage.

Fioricet Storage:
Fioricet should be stored at room temperature. Keep it away from moisture and sunlight, and out of the reach of children.

Anything Else I Should Know About Fioricet:
A major ingredient of Fioricet is acetaminophen, which is known to ease pain and lower fevers. Caffeine is another ingredient. This drug causes blood vessels to constrict, which cuts down on blood flow in vessels thought to contribute to tension headaches. The barbiturate Fioricet slows the nerve impulses passing through the central nervous system and brain. This causes muscle relaxation. When acetaminophen, caffeine, and Fioricet are used together, they work to ease tension headaches by relaxing related muscles. However, it's not perfectly clear how it does this.