The combination of acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine comes as a capsule and tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine exactly as directed. Do not take more than six tablets or capsules in 1 day. If you think that you need more to relieve your symptoms, call your doctor.

Fioricet is indicated for the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache. Evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this combination product in the treatment of multiple recurrent headaches is unavailable. Caution in this regard is required because butalbital is habit-forming and potentially abusable.

This medication can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.

Before taking acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine,

• • • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, or any other drugs.
    • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin), antidepressants, antihistamines, pain medications, sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and vitamins.
    • Many nonprescription pain relievers contain acetaminophen. Too much of this drug can be harmful.
    • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, porphyria, or depression.
    • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, call your doctor.
    • you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
    • remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine may cause an upset stomach. Take this medicine with food or milk.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• • • drowsiness
    • upset stomach
    • vomiting
    • stomach pain
    • depression
    • lightheadedness
    • confusion

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• • • skin rash
    • itching
    • difficulty breathing

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. This medication is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• • • Alagesic®¶
    • Americet®¶
    • Anolor®¶
    • Anoquan®¶
    • Arcet®¶
    • Dolgic®¶
    • Dolmar®¶
    • Endolor®¶
    • Esgic®¶
    • Ezol®¶

• • • Femcet®¶
    • Fioricet®
    • Fiorpap®¶
    • G-1®¶
    • Ide-cet®¶
    • Isocet®¶
    • Margesic®¶
    • Medigesic®¶
    • Minotal®¶
    • Mygracet®¶

• • • Nonbac®¶
    • Pacaps®¶
    • Pharmagesic®¶
    • Quala Cet®¶
    • Repan®¶
    • Tenake®¶
    • Tencet®¶
    • Triad®¶
    • Two-Dyne®¶
    • Zebutal®¶

• • Esgic® Plus (containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine)
  • Geone® (containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine)¶
  • Orbivan® (containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine)¶
  • Fioricet® with Codeine (containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine)
  • Phrenilin® with Caffeine and Codeine (containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine)

• Abuse and Dependence

• Butalbital

  Barbiturates may be habit-forming: Tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence may occur especially following prolonged use of high doses of barbiturates. The average daily dose for the barbiturate addict is usually about 1500 mg. As tolerance to barbiturates develops, the amount needed to maintain the same level of intoxication increases; tolerance to a fatal dosage, however, does not increase more than two-fold. As this occurs, the margin between an intoxication dosage and fatal dosage becomes smaller. The lethal dose of a barbiturate is far less if alcohol is also ingested. Major withdrawal symptoms (convulsions and delirium) may occur within 16 hours and last up to 5 days after abrupt cessation of these drugs. Intensity of withdrawal symptoms gradually declines over a period of approximately 15 days. Treatment of barbiturate dependence consists of cautious and gradual withdrawal of the drug. Barbiturate-dependent patients can be withdrawn by using a number of different withdrawal regimens. One method involves initiating treatment at the patient’s regular dosage level and gradually decreasing the daily dosage as tolerated by the patient.