What Are The Ingredients In Fioricet?
A combination medication is a drug which includes two or more pharmaceutical ingredients in a fixed dose. There are three ingredients in standard Fioricet: acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine.
All three ingredients have different effects which combine to soothe headaches.
- Acetaminophen is a medication which alleviates pain and reduces fever. It’s more widely-known by its brand name, Tylenol. Acetaminophen works by impairing the production of the prostaglandin chemical in the brain. This chemical activates pain signals in the nervous system.
- Butalbital is a sedative barbiturate which stimulates the brain’s production of GABA. This neurotransmitter calms the nervous system by blocking signals among neurons. It also relaxes muscle tension in the head, thereby alleviating headaches. Butalbital is a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States.
- Caffeine is a stimulant which raises a person’s blood pressure. While high blood pressure is not necessarily healthy, low blood pressure worsens headaches by causing blood vessels to expand and push against the brain. By raising raising blood pressure, caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict and increases blood flow. This effect helps relieve headaches.
With these three ingredients at work, Fioricet can be an effective source of headache relief. However, the medication also poses risks for side-effects, overdose, and addiction. For this reason, doctors usually refrain from prescribing Fioricet until safer over-the-counter medications fail to help their patients.
Fioricet Mechanism of Action
Fioricet is a drug that belongs to a group of combined analgetics. All three ingredients of the drug contribute to its effectiveness and powerful impact on the organism. Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.
The mechanism of Fioricet influence on the body is simple, but it consists of three processes corresponding to the number of active ingredients:
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- Butalbital triggers a depressant impact on the central nervous system and has several peripheral effects if taken in high doses. The half-life of the ingredient is around 35 hours;
- Acetaminophen is characterized by antipyretic and analgesic effects that are mediated by metabolite. It, in its turn, interferes with the functioning of cannabinoid receptors. The component has approximately 1.25-3 hours of half-life, but it may be enhanced as a result of liver damage triggered by overdose;
- Caffeine is a more traditional ingredient that produces constriction of cerebral blood vessels, counteracting the sedative influence of Butalbital. Its half-life varies from 5 to 7 hours.
Due to undeniable effectiveness and safety of the drug, it is appreciated by both customers and medical specialists. The remedy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a quality tension headache solution.
Be careful though, because Fioricet can be addictive if used incorrectly and it is not meant for long-term use. It should be used as a last resort when it comes to headache treatment because of these addictive qualities.
Fioricet and Alcohol
Fioricet is like any other drug, mixing it with certain other drugs or alcohol can cause adverse reactions. Fioricet and alcohol should never be mixed. The drug Butalbital is a barbiturate which makes it a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.
The central nervous system controls many important bodily functions, including respiration. Alcohol is a well known central nervous system depressant. An overdose is possible if alcohol and Fioricet are taken together.
The effects of Butalbital can be heightened if taken with alcohol. There may be feelings of cloudiness or confusion, a sense of feeling deeply intoxicated.
Driving while taking this drug is not recommended. A feeling of drowsiness or feeling dizzy is common. Due to this, taking this drug with alcohol is considered dangerous and should not be done.
Fioricet and Acetaminophen also have linked drug interactions. Acetaminophen alone can cause liver failure if taken incorrectly or in high dosages.
Alcohol is also known to damage the liver. Acute liver failure or liver disease are likely to occur if alcohol and acetaminophen are then together.
Fioricet should never be mixed with alcohol. This can cause life threatening drug interactions that can lead to a person being severely injured or can be fatal.
Fioricet Side Effects
There are some side effects expected with Fioricet due to the Butalbital it contains. These side effects include:
- Anxiety
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Feelings of intoxication or drunkenness
- Insomnia
These are common side effects most users of Fioricet experience. It is suggested that if Fioricet is taken, not to drive or operate heavy machinery.
There are more sever side effects of Fioricet that a person taking Fioricet should carefully monitor themselves for. These side effects include shortness of breath, confusion, nausea, upset stomach lightheadedness, seizures, dark urine, clay colored stool and jaundice.
If you experience any of these less common yet serious symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
If you are concerned that the side effects of Fioricet are interfering with your ability to function in day to day life, please speak with your doctor.
Tips Before Buying Fioricet Online
Basically, Fioricet is an FDA approved prescription drug that should be administered only with a doctor’s approval. Is it possible to order it online without a prescription?
To make sure Fioricet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
- kidney disease;
- asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
- stomach ulcer or bleeding;
- a history of skin rash caused by any medication;
- a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts; or
- if you use medicine to prevent blood clots.
Online shopping for pharmaceuticals is gaining popularity, so an overwhelming majority of modern people choose online drugstores.
This is because it can often save time for people with busy lives or work schedules who may otherwise overlook picking up their medications on time. Believe it or not, in this era of cellphones and fast vehicles people can too easily forget the important things concerning themselves like medications.
However, to ensure the safety of the treatment course and eliminate the risks of unwanted reactions, a patient should work only with quality and time-tested platforms. On average, such companies do not offer their drugs without a prescription but give you an alternative solution.
Instead of setting an appointment with your doctor and spending time and money on it, a patient can take the maximal advantage of online prescription. A team of qualified medical specialists will help you select a correct dose, duration of the therapy and related specifications.
Fill in the form, mentioning your current health state, allergic reactions to any products or remedies and other issues, which may influence the treatment course. It is important to fill out this form as truthfully as possible because a bad mixture of medications or an allergy can lead to a fatal result.
The moment the doctor approves your condition and situation, you are free to order Fioricet 100% legally and safely.
Be sure though to not order Fioricet without a form of doctor approval because that is illegal. You must obtain your prescription legally, whether in person or online, to legally have access to using this drug.
Safety Instructions for Fioricet Administration
Administer Fioricet in accordance with the prescription and generalized safety directions. It is an optimal way to achieve the desired effects and get no adverse reactions.
It is important to inform the doctor about all the disorders and abnormalities you are currently diagnosed with, as well as medications you are using, as these factors may contribute to the prescription.
Never use Fioricet in higher or lower doses, neither for a prolonged course. The medication overuse can result in life-threatening liver damages and even death. Report any disorders during the treatment course.
Your healthcare specialist should be warned if there are no positive results about your condition after Fioricet administration.
Generally, Fioricet should be taken with milk or food in case its ingredients upset the stomach. The components of the drug may be habit-forming, so you should never share the medicine with other people. Additionally, don’t make the treatment course longer than it was originally adjusted by the doctor.
Fioricet Dosing Details
Contact your healthcare specialist before the beginning to take Fioricet. It is essential to get correct dosage recommendations that will correspond to your health state and needs.
Fioricet doses may vary greatly, in accordance with the severity of the condition and overall health condition of the patient. On average, the following doses are used to eliminate dangerous and disabling symptoms of tension headaches:
- Acetaminophen – 300 mg, Butalbital – 50 mg, Caffeine – 40 mg. Use 1-2 capsules every 4 hours when needed. The maximal daily dose is 6 doses;
- Acetaminophen – 325 mg, Butalbital – 50 mg, Caffeine – 40 mg. 1-2 tablets should be also used every 4 hours. In this instance, you can also take capsules or a tablespoonful of the remedy;
- Acetaminophen – 500 mg, Butalbital – 50 mg, Caffeine – 40 mg. Don’t take more than 1 tablet or capsule every 4 hours to eliminate the signs of a tension headache;
- Acetaminophen – 750 mg, Butalbital – 50 mg, Caffeine – 40 mg should be used as a single dose every 4 hours. 5 doses are the maximal daily limit.
Start with the lowest effective dose to prevent complications or health abnormalities.
Contact your doctor and seek emergency medical assistance in case the drug intake has resulted in overdose symptoms or other abnormalities.
Containing Acetaminophen, Butalbital, and Caffeine as active ingredients, this medication may trigger a powerful influence on important body functions, decreasing the symptoms of a tension headache and similar complications.
Additionally, the drug is frequently recommended for patients who suffer from migraines and similar pain causes.
It is advised to discuss the treatment course with a qualified medical assistant in order to eliminate any risks of side effects and unwanted reactions.
Some Fioricet tablets may also have Codeine in their composition, which means the drug contains Butalbital and other addictive narcotic substances.
Following the results of medical tests and research, Fioricet may be habit-forming, so it is not approved for patients, who have a history of alcohol or drug addiction, as well as patients who suffer from cirrhosis and other liver abnormalities.
Fioricet may trigger a whole range of dangerous complications and health abnormalities if misused or overused.
Seizures, serious breathing disorders, upper stomach pain, jaundice, allergic reactions, and similar conditions may serve as the result of Fioricet intake in high doses or for a prolonged course.
Is Fioricet Addictive and Dangerous to Use?
Fioricet is a revolutionary headache medication, which is approved by the FDA and classified as a habit-forming treatment. However, the drug can be fully safe if administered in accordance with the safety recommendations and individual intake directions.
The drug contains Butalbital that is a central nervous system depressant and may cause addiction if administered in high doses or for the long term.
Fioricet addiction starts with medication tolerance, which means the organism is getting used to the drug ingredients, requiring higher doses for the achievement of the same results.
The symptoms of Fioricet addiction include:
- “Doctor shopping”, which makes people go to various doctors, trying to obtain more of the drug;
- Patients taking higher doses for headache treatment;
- People developing not only physical but also emotional dependency, which appears when you start experiencing withdrawal reactions the moment you decrease your Fioricet dose or completely stop its intake;
- People have an overall bad feeling, which they relate to Fioricet absence;
- Patients have an obsessive idea to find and take Fioricet over and over again.
Consequently, Fioricet is a truly addictive and habit-forming medication, which can harm the health of a patient.
Nevertheless, an individually adjusted dose and strict following the safety instructions are the keys to successful headache treatment with no abnormalities, disorders and life-threatening addiction symptoms
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