Fioricet Side Effects
Frequently Observed Fioricet Side Effects
The most frequently reported adverse reactions are drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intoxicated feeling.Infrequently Observed Fioricet Side Effects
All adverse events tabulated below are classified as infrequent.Central Nervous System: headache, shaky feeling, tingling, agitation, fainting, fatigue, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, numbness, sluggishness, seizure. Mental confusion, excitement, or depression can also occur due to intolerance, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients, or due to overdosage of butalbital. Autonomic Nervous System: dry mouth, hyperhidrosis. Gastrointestinal: difficulty swallowing, heartburn, flatulence, constipation. Cardiovascular: tachycardia. Musculoskeletal: leg pain, muscle fatigue. Genitourinary: diuresis.
Miscellaneous: pruritus, fever, earache, nasal congestion, tinnitus, euphoria, allergic reactions. Several cases of dermatological reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme, have been reported. 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. Fioricet (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine) is a combination pain reliever and muscle relaxant used in the treatment of tension headache and migraine, even any kinds of headache. It is available as a generic prescription.
Generic Fioricet is much cheaper than Brand Fioricet but they almost have the same effects and same side effects. The most frequently reported adverse reactions or side effects of fioricet are: drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intoxicated feeling.
Irritation of the Stomach or Intestines | Less Severe |
Drowsiness | Less Severe |
Dizzy | Less Severe |
Depression | Severe |
Sluggishness | Severe |
Confused | Severe |
Over Excitement | Severe |
Nightmares | Less Severe |
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements | Less Severe |
Feeling Faint | Less Severe |
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling | Less Severe |
Chronic Trouble Sleeping | Less Severe |
Head Pain | Less Severe |
Feel Like Throwing Up | Less Severe |
Throwing Up | Less Severe |
Nervous | Less Severe |
Easily Angered or Annoyed | Less Severe |
Anxious | Less Severe |
Discolored Spots and Small Elevations of the Skin | Severe |
Acute Pustular Eruptions on Skin | Severe |
Extra Heartbeat | Severe |
Feeling of Throat Tightness | Severe |
Acute Liver Failure | Severe |
Hepatitis | Severe |
Hepatitis caused by Drugs | Severe |
Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy | Severe |
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis | Severe |
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome | Severe |
Skin Rash with Sloughing | Severe |
Decreased Calcification or Density of Bone | Severe |
Loss of Memory | Severe |
Hallucination | Severe |
Rash | Severe |
Wheezing | Severe |
Trouble Breathing | Severe |
Life Threatening Allergic Reaction | Severe |
Giant Hives | Severe |
Reaction due to an Allergy | Severe |
Rickets | Severe |
Megaloblastic Anemia | Severe |
Decreased Blood Platelets | Severe |
Deficiency of Granulocytes a Type of White Blood Cell | Severe |
Decreased White Blood Cells | Severe |
Decreased Neutrophils a Type of White Blood Cell | Severe |
Taking Habit Forming Drugs | Less Severe |
Feeling Restless | Less Severe |
Blind Spot in the Eye | Less Severe |
Perform Complex Natural behaviors while Asleep | Less Severe |
Increased Feeling of the Skin | Less Severe |
Ringing in the Ears | Less Severe |
Hives | Less Severe |
Involuntary Quivering | Less Severe |
Uncoordinated | Less Severe |
Fast Heartbeat | Less Severe |
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
- feeling light-headed or short of breath;
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
- drowsiness;
- dizziness, confusion or lightheadedness;
- dry mouth;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
- feeling anxious or jittery;
- drunk feeling; or
- headache.
Fioricet Addiction
As with many medications, when taken over a long period of time or in high doses, the body can come to depend on the drug to function normally. Misusing Fioricet can result in dependence and addiction and can pose serious risks to health. Signs of a Fioricet addiction can include drug-seeking behavior, doctor-shopping or pretending to lose Fioricet prescriptions to get access to more.
Fioricet has addictive qualities, and it’s important to watch for signs of addiction when using this medication. If you are misusing or addicted to Fioricet, getting off the drug is the first step of recovery. There are different types of treatments available that can address Fioricet addiction. Treatment can also include therapy and skill building, which can address the underlying reasons for abusing Fioricet.
Before taking Fioricet
Do not use Fioricet if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. You should not use Fioricet if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications. 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.