This article explains butalbital use, benefits, risks, and alternatives to butalbital.
It talks about why you should only use butalbital products prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Their use in people with these headaches is not uncommon but it also comes with some cautions.
Agnieszka Marcinska / EyeEm / Getty Images
However, the same study finds that butalbital use should be limited in favor of alternatives.
That’s because it has a higher risk of medication overuse headaches, sometimes calledrebound headaches.
These headaches are due to relying too heavily on medication to relieve symptoms.
Butalbital combination drugs also may lead to intoxication, drug dependency, and withdrawal syndrome.
Tension Headaches
Atension headacheis the most common bang out of headache disorder.
It pops up if neck and scalp muscles become tense.
They may occur at any age but are most common in adults and older teens.
Some people are more prone to developing tension headaches than others, although the reason behind this is unclear.
Most tension headaches are mild.
They are two different kinds of butalbital combination drugs.
Fioricet includes butalbital with acetaminophen and caffeine.
Fiorinal is made with butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine.
There are forms of each that also containcodeine.
Codeine is an opiate drug, and it increases the risks of addiction and potential overdose.
Butalbital relaxes themuscle tensionbelieved to be associated with tension headaches.
Dosage
Always take these medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Be aware that extended and repeated use of butalbital can lead to physical dependence.
Fiorinaltablets were discontinued by the manufacturer, so it is now available only in capsule form.
The capsules contain 50 milligrams (mg) butalbital, 325 mg aspirin, and 40 mg caffeine.
One or two capsules of Fiorinal may be taken every four hours as needed.
The total daily dosage is limited to six capsules.
It should not be taken more than twice a week.
Fioricetis available in tablet or capsule form.
It contains 50 mg butalbital, 300 mg acetaminophen, and 40 mg caffeine.
One or two tablets or capsules of Fioricet may be taken every four hours as needed.
Side Effects
Fioricet and Fiorinal should be taken with food or milk to prevent stomach irritation.
It’s important that you understand the risks of taking Fioricet and Fiorinal.
Tell your healthcare provider what medications you already take prior to beginning a butalbital combination drug.
Let them know if you:
Butalbital has the potential to interact with hundreds of drugs.
Often, people with an MOH do not get pain relief from preventive headache medications.
This lack of response is often a clue to healthcare providers that an MOH has developed.
These may be life-threatening symptoms and require monitoring by a healthcare provider.
Tolerance and Addiction
Tolerance and addiction may also occur with butalbital.
Tolerance means that a person needs more of the medication to achieve headache relief.
Addiction to butalbital is characterized by persistent behaviors, like compulsions, to take a butalbital-containing medication.
The logic was that the potential for liver damage would limit the abuse of Fioricet.
That’s not been the case, and 15 states already treat both as a more tightly controlled drug.
Both products will continue to be available by prescription.
Precautions
Both Fiorinal and Fioricet can cause complications specific to their ingredients.
This is because butalbital is primarily cleared from the body through the kidneys.
Acetaminophen also stresses the kidneys and may lead to early renal failure.
In the Fiorinal form, the aspirin may add to breathing problems.
Codeine
When codeine is added to butalbital combination drugs, it may present risks to older people.
Alternatives to Fioricet and Fiorinal
There are many treatment options for tension headaches.
Drugs range from OTC analgesics (painkillers) to prescription medications.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Many people who experience tension-punch in headaches or migraines first turn to OTC painkillers.
Examples include:
Summary
Fioricet and Fiorinal are medications known as butalbital combination drugs.
The Fioricet form includes acetaminophen and caffeine, while Fiorinal includes aspirin and caffeine.
Codeine, an opiate, is added in some forms of these drugs.
Both Fioricet and Fiorinal can lead to addiction, medication overuse headaches, intoxication, withdrawal, and overdose.
Because of these risks, you may wish to consider alternative treatments.
That’s especially true if you have other health issues that put you at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, because it is only sold in a combination form.
Fiorinal is made with butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine.
Fioricet is made with butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine.
It depends on which form of the drug you use and the advice of your healthcare team.
There is some evidence that its use is linked to congenital heart defects, but more study is needed.
Speak to your pediatrician about giving butalbital combination drugs to children.
Safe use in younger children is not established.
It isn’t known if Fiorinal is safe for ages 17 and under.
Some researchers suggest that no child should be given butalbital and alternatives should be used.
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