Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer.
Butalbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that slow down your central nervous system (brain and nerve impulses) causing relaxation.
The combination, acetaminophen and butalbital, is used to treat tension (or muscle contraction) headaches.
Acetaminophen and butalbital may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What Can Headaches Cause
What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and butalbital ?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Butalbital 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 butalbital 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.
Never take more acetaminophen and butalbital than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and butalbital ?
This medication is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision. Take this drug only for as long as it is prescribed , in the amounts it is prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.
Do not take acetaminophen and butalbital without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease. You may not be able to take acetaminophen and butalbital, or you may require a lower dose.
Do not take acetaminophen and butalbital if you have porphyria.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
- kidney disease, or
- liver disease.
You may not be able to take acetaminophen and butalbital, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Acetaminophen and butalbital is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether this combination will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Acetaminophen and butalbital both pass into breast milk and may harm a baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Acetaminophen and butalbital has not been approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.
The above information thankfully comes from the drugs.com at the following link.