Tag: Fioricet Overdose

Downside of taking Foricet

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Blue and White Fioricet
Blue and White Fioricet
  • Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or an intoxicated feeling are the most commonly reported side effects.
  • Other side effects, such as constipation, excessive sweating, itch, serious skin reactions, and mental confusion are less common.
  • Butalbital is habit-forming and there is a high risk of dependence with extended and repeated use of Fioricet. Therefore it is not considered a first-choice medicine for headaches.
  • May cause medication-overuse headache with repeated use and a withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation.
  • The potential for liver damage with the acetaminophen component exists, even at recommended dosages. The risk is increased with higher dosages, with chronic alcohol use, with some medications, and in patients with significant liver disease.
  • May not be suitable for some people, including the elderly and people with kidney or liver disease.
  • Although Fioricet may be prescribed for migraine headaches, it is not FDA approved for this and evidence does not support its use for migraine.
  • Should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • May interact with a number of other medications including those that also cause sedation such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and sedating antihistamines. Alcohol should be avoided.

What Are the Possible Side-Effects of Fioricet?

Like any medication, Fioricet can cause side-effects. People who misuse Fioricet or use it compulsively are at greater risk for experiencing the worst side-effects of the medication.

The possible side-effects of Fioricet are:

      • Anxiety
      • Dizziness
      • Drowsiness
      • Feelings of being intoxicated
      • Lightheadedness
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Shaking and tremors
      • Shortness of breath
      • Stomach pain
      • Trouble sleeping

In some cases, a person who takes Fioricet may develop an allergic reaction to the drug. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are trouble breathing, itching, rashes, intense dizziness, and swelling in the face, throat, and tongue.

What are the Symptoms of a Fioricet Overdose?

While butalbital is the addictive ingredient in Fioricet, acetaminophen is the ingredient which is liable to cause an overdose. Unfortunately, people who misuse Fioricet as a recreational drug or as a way to suppress withdrawal are most likely to suffer an overdose.

When a person overdoses on Fioricet, the acetaminophen will damage their liver. In severe cases, an overdose can even provoke fatal liver failure. For this reason, it is dangerous to take Fioricet together with another medication which contains acetaminophen because it increases the risk of overdose and death. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking Fioricet may also inflict liver damage.

A Fioricet overdose is a medical emergency, so it’s important to know the symptoms. An overdose on Fioricet and all other forms of liver failure cause jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Other symptoms of an overdose include:

      • Confusion
      • Convulsions and seizures
      • Fainting
      • Irregular heartbeat
      • Lack of appetite
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Restlessness
      • Stomach pain
      • Sweating
      • Tremors

Tension Headaches

The most common type of headache disorder, a tension headache occurs when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract, meaning they squeeze down. This causes pain, often described as a rubber-band-around-the-head feeling or a pressure sensation, on both sides of the head.

Tension headaches can be triggered by a number of factors including stress, hunger, lack of sleep, anxiety, and temperature changes. They may occur at any age but are most common in adults and older teens. Some people are more prone or vulnerable to developing tension headaches than others, although the reason behind this is not very clear.

Most tension headaches are mild in pain and can be easily alleviated with rest, fluids, removal of the trigger, and/or an over-the-counter medication like Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Behavioral therapies too can be effective like physical therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Butalbital

When recurring tension headaches do not respond to other treatments, your doctor may prescribe Fiorinal or Fioricet. Codeine may also be added to this combination of medicine. While this medication is very effective in the short-term, there are some things to watch out for.

Butalbital is a barbiturate, which means that it helps to slow down the central nervous system and relax the muscle tension believed to be associated with tension headaches.

Before taking medication containing butalbital, tell your doctor if you:

    • Are allergic to any ingredients in the medication, such as acetaminophen or aspirin.
    • Are currently taking blood thinners, antidepressants, antihistamines, or other sedatives such as sleeping pills or tranquilizers
    • Have or previously had liver disease, porphyria, or depression
    • Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding

Fioricet Overdose Signs and Symptoms and Treatment

Fioricet is a medication designed to treat headaches caused by muscle tension but is often used to relieve migraine headaches.

Fioricet OVerdose Treatment
Fioricet OVerdose Treatment

Fioricet is a combination medication and contains butalbital (an addictive substance), acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and caffeine. Overdose can occur if someone takes more Fioricet than is recommended by the medication’s manufacturer or their physician. Some individuals misuse the substance to get high or to attempt suicide.

Can You Overdose On Fioricet?

A Fioricet overdose is not only possible but also very dangerous: perhaps even fatal. The three medications in Fioricet can be dangerous when taken in excess:

    • Butalbital – It can lead to changes in the brain that decrease respirations, and ultimately cause someone to stop breathing.
    • Acetaminophen – Damages the liver when taken in large doses, and can lead to fatal liver failure. This also builds up toxins within the body and causes bleeding problems.
    • Caffeine – It can lead to heart problems and can cause the heart to stop beating when taken in excess.

A Fioricet overdose can be complicated to treat because all three medicines it contains are dangerous when used in excess.

Fioricet Overdose Amount

Age, gender, overall health, genetics, and many other factors influence what amount of medication is dangerous. Therefore, a fatal dose for one person could be dangerous, but not deadly, for another. Because of this, pharmaceutical companies create guidelines for the maximum dose of a medication that anyone can safely take.

For Fioricet, the maximum daily dose is six tablets, spaced four hours apart. While taking more than this is considered an overdose, some people may not experience negative or dangerous effects when they exceed the maximum dosage.

Fioricet Abuse in Florida

In Florida, Fioricet is a Schedule III medication, meaning that it has a potential for abuse, but this potential is not as high as other medications. The potentially addictive medication in Fioricet is butalbital, but if used in the amounts and frequency that it is prescribed, Fioricet should not normally become addictive. While someone who uses Fioricet correctly is unlikely to become addicted, those who overuse it or use it to get high may become addicted.

Fioricet Overdose Symptoms

There are symptoms of Fioricet overdose that are related to the different medications it contains. Some signs of butalbital overdose include:

  • Symptoms of Butalbital Overdose Twitching of the eyes Change in level of alertness Slurred speech Unsteadiness
      • Drowsiness
      • Unresponsiveness
      • Clumsiness
      • Decreased breathing
      • Death

Signs of an acetaminophen overdose may take from several days to three weeks to start appearing. Signs of an acetaminophen overdose include:

Symptoms of Acetaminophen Overdose

    • Yellowing of the skin or eyes
    • Increased bleeding Tiredness Feeling generally unwell
      • Confusion
      • Hallucinations
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Seizures
      • Coma
      • Death

Caffeine is the least dangerous of the three drugs in Fioricet but can be dangerous when taken in excess. Signs of a caffeine overdose include:

Symptoms of Caffeine Overdose

      • Palpitations
      • chest pain
      • Passing out
      • Diarrhea
      • Uncontrolled muscle movements
      • Death

Someone who has overdosed on Fioricet will likely not experience all of these symptoms. Depending upon the dosage, they may experience one or two of these symptoms while others may not.

Fioricet Overdose Treatment

Someone who has overdosed on Fioricet should seek immediate medical attention. It is not possible to safely treat a Fioricet addiction without medical professionals. It is urgent that treatment for a Fioricet overdose be started as soon as possible, as every hour can make a difference in the likelihood of survival. If you or someone you know has taken more Fioricet than is prescribed or recommended, you should seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.

Preventing Fioricet Overdose

There are three common situations for a Fioricet overdose. First, someone may overdose on Fioricet by accidentally exceeding the maximum dosage. To avoid this, keep Fioricet in clearly labeled containers, taking note of the daily limits for Fioricet. Someone could also overdose on Fioricet during a suicide attempt. This can be prevented by encouraging treatment for depression and suicidal ideation.

Finally, someone could overdose in an attempt to get high. This can be prevented by encouraging the person who is misusing Fioricet to seek treatment for their addiction. Fioricet addiction is treatable, and rehab can help someone to overcome Fioricet addictions.

If you or a loved one are using Fioricet to get high instead of using it as prescribed, then you likely have a Fioricet addiction and should consider seeking professional help. The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health has a strong record of helping those with addiction to achieve full and lasting recoveries. Reach out to one of our understanding team members to learn how you can start on your path to recovery today. 

Fioricet and Alcohol

Ask your doctor about whether to avoid alcohol while taking Fioricet. The drug may enhance the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Drinking while on Fioricet may increase the risk of liver damage from the acetaminophen.