Butalbital is an active ingredient in Fioricet. It is sold for headach relief as a generic form of Fioricet. 50mg Butalbital / 325mg Acetaminophen / 40mg Caffeine, is the breakdown of ingredients.
What Headaches Mean
Butalbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that slow down your central nervous system (brain and nerve impulses) causing relaxation. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Caffeine is believed to constrict dilated blood vessels that may contribute to tension headaches. Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine are used in combination to relieve complex tension (muscle contraction) headaches. Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine may also be used for other purposes.
CLASS : Azaspirodecanedione Derivative.
Generic name : Buspirone Hydrochloride.
Type : Antianxiety.
Butalbital APAP with Caffeine Description
Butalbital and acetaminophen (byoo-TAL-bi-tal and a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen) combination is a pain reliever and relaxant. It is used to treat tension headaches. Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates (bar-BI-tyoo-rates). Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.
When you take butalbital for a long time, your body may get used to it so that larger amounts are needed to produce the same effects. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, butalbital may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) when it is used for a long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine. In patients who get headaches, the first symptom of withdrawal may be new (rebound) headaches.
Some butalbital and acetaminophen combinations also contain caffeine (KAF-een). Caffeine may help to relieve headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.
Butalbital and acetaminophen combination may also be used for other kinds of headaches or other kinds of pain as determined by your doctor.
Butalbital and acetaminophen combinations are available only with your doctor’s prescription in the following dosage forms :
· Oral Butalbital and Acetaminophen
1. Capsules (U.S.)
2. Tablets (U.S.)
· Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine
1. Capsules (U.S.)
2. Tablets (U.S.)
The above information thankfully comes from the health.am at the following link.