Fioricet is one of the leading tension headache medications in the market today. It uses the beneficial qualities of its active ingredients acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine to help relieve sufferers from the discomfort of their tension headaches. Acetaminophen has pain relieving and fever reducing qualities, butalbital works by depressing the activity of the central nervous system, and caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant that relaxes blood vessel contractions to improve blood flow. Fioricet is used not only for tension headaches caused by muscle contractions, but also for other conditions that doctors see it fit to be used at.

Using Fioricet may entail enduring side effects that could range from mild to severe. Some of the most commonly reported side effects include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a feeling of being intoxicated. Some of the more serious side effects that are unlikely to manifest are euphoria, bloody/black stool, bloody urine, seizures, fast heartbeat, muscle fatigue, unusual bleeding or bruising, confusion, agitation, and depression. There may be other side effects that are not listed in this article. At the first sign of any adverse effect, the best thing to do is to immediately consult your doctor. Keep in mind that side effects that are taken for granted can be potentially hazardous to the medication user.

Fioricet is a schedule IV drug that means it has a low possibility for abuse, but it is still possible to cause physical or psychological dependence. Dependency usually forms when Fioricet is used for an extended period of time or when it is used in higher dosages. The butalbital component is the reason of the dependency. Barbiturates are highly habit-forming. Dependency forms when the body becomes tolerant of the current medication dosing and the body starts asking for a higher dose. Withdrawal effect from Fioricet intake cessation has also been noted, especially when the medication is stopped abruptly. The most common withdrawal symptoms reported included convulsions, restlessness, and delirium.

Major withdrawal symptoms usually occur within 16 hours to 5 days after the abrupt cessation of the prescription medication. The intensity of the withdrawal symptoms eventually decreases over the span of 15 days. For this reason, getting off of Fioricet medication cannot be done right away. To avoid experiencing withdrawal effect from Fioricet cessation, patients are advised to gradually lower down their dosage level until they can eventually do without the medication.

There are a lot of contraindications that need to be considered when taking prescription Fioricet. Taking other prescription medications that are barbiturate-based can only lead to addiction and dependence because it increases the barbiturate tolerance of the medication user that can lead to an eventual increase in the dosing. Fioricet should never be taken with substances such as alcohol, antidiabetic medications, antihistamines, anticoagulants, aspirin, benzodiazepines, MAO inhibitors, among other medications.

It is important to inform your doctor of any medication (over-the-counter, prescription, vitamins, supplements) that you're currently taking to avoid creating an undesirable drug interaction or trigger an allergic reaction by using Fioricet.

For more detailed information regarding Fioricet and its effects, it is best to have a sit-down with your consulting physician or talk to your local pharmacist. Also, more information regarding the different precautions and contraindications which need to be considered before taking Fioricet is available online for consumers to access and learn from.