Fioricet is a relaxant, a mixture of a barbiturate sedative, non-aspirin pain relief medication and caffeine. It is a non-narcotic medication used to relieve migraine and tension headaches caused by contractions of the muscles in the neck and shoulder area. Fioricet is administered orally in the form of capsules and tablets.
The recommended dosage is one or two tablets every 4 hours. A total daily dosage of 6 tablets should not be exceeded. Regular and long-term use of Fioricet is not recommended because it may lead to addiction to the medication.
Warnings Precautions
If you have a history of severe depression or drug abuse, or are undergoing treatment for severe depression, consult your doctor first before taking Fioricet. If you have liver or kidney disease, or severe abdominal problems, use this drug with caution. Elderly people and people in a weak physical condition should be especially aware of the side effects of Fioricet. Fioricet can have a harmful effect on the fetus and is passed onto breast milk. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. If this medication is essential to your health, you might be advised by your doctor to discontinue breast-feeding until the treatment with Fioricet is over. Fioricet may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Refrain from performing hazardous activities and exercise caution when driving and operating machinery until you have become fully aware of the side effects of the drug.
Missing a Dose
In case of a missed dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule if it is almost time for your next dose. Never take two doses of Fioricet at the same time.
Possible Side Effects
The side effects of Fioricet have not been studied sufficiently but abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, a feeling of intoxication, light-headedness, nausea, sedation, shortness of breath, vomiting are among the most common side effects of Fioricet. If you detect any of these symptoms or they intensify, contact your doctor immediately. Only your doctor can decide whether the treatment with Fioricet should be continued. Agitation, allergic reactions, constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, earache, exaggerated feeling of well-being, excessive sweating, excessive urination, excitement, fainting, fatigue, fever, flatulence, headache, heartburn, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, itching, leg pain, mental confusion, muscle fatigue, numbness, rapid heartbeat, ringing in the ears, seizure, shaky feeling, skin redness and/or peeling, sluggishness, stuffy nose, tingling have been reported as some of the rare side effects of using Fioricet.
Storage
Store below 86?° F (30?° C). Dispense in a tight container. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose
Severe drowsiness, confusion, extreme weakness, hallucination, shortness of breath, slow or troubled breathing, slurred speech, lack of coordination, vomiting blood, unusually slow heartbeat are among the symptoms of a Fioricet overdose. A Fioricet overdose, or using this medication simultaneously with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants may result in unconsciousness and even death.
More Information
Fioricet is known to enhance the effect of other medications that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relief and anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Notify your doctor of any other medications that you might be undergoing treatment with and do not take any without his explicit approval. Do not take Fioricet if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days as this may cause severe side effects.
Fioricet resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fioricet
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/esgic.htm
http://headaches.about.com/cs/druginfo/a/fiorinal_care.htm
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