Fioricet is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions. Its generic name is acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. Together they are taken orally as a pain reliever and fever reducer. There are many brand names such as: Anolor 300, Dolgic LQ, Esgic, Fioricet, Geone, Margesic, Medigesic, Repan, and Zebutal.

Although people suffering from migraine may tend to take anything that may promise relief, Fioricet seems to do best when the resultant headache is due to muscle contractions.

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever/fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates that relax muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that also relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow. Fioricet is a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine.

Fioricet should never be shared with anyone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.

You should not take Fioricet if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine, or if you have porphyria.

Before using Fioricet, tell your doctor if you have:

- Kidney disease - Liver disease - History of mental illness - Suicidal thoughts

Do not use Fioricet if you are pregnant. It can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Fioricet without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Keep track of how much medicine has been used from each new bottle. Butalbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Since Fioricet is usually taken as needed, never use extra Fioricet to make up for a missed dosage. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much.

Overdose symptoms may include:

- Insomnia - Restlessness - Tremor - Dizziness - Drowsiness - Nausea - Vomiting - Diarrhea - Stomach pain - Loss of appetite - Increased sweating - Shallow breathing - Confusion - Uneven heartbeats - Seizure (convulsions) - Coma

Signs of an allergic reaction to Fioricet:

- Hives - Difficulty breathing - Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat - Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat - Feeling light-headed or short of breath - Nausea - Stomach pain - Low fever - Loss of appetite - Dark urine - Clay-colored stools - Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) - Easy bruising or bleeding - Unusual weakness - Fever - Chills - Body aches - Flu symptoms

Less serious side effects:

- Drowsiness - Dizziness - Confusion or lightheadedness - Dry mouth - Nausea - Vomiting - Stomach pain - Loss of appetite - Feeling anxious or jittery - Drunk feeling - Headache

The following drugs can interact with Fioricet:

- Many antibiotics - Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) - Isoniazid - Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) - Seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton) - Gout medications such as probenecid (Benemid) or sulfinpyrazone - MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) - Steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex) dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others - Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil) desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others

Fibromyalgia sufferers don't seem to have any relief from Fioricet although some patients (many in the so-called placebo effect group) use it with great satisfaction. In the case of Fibromyalgia, physician supervision is highly recommended.