Fioricet: Treating Migraine Headaches
Fioricet is used in the treatment of mild to moderate migraine pain. It is compounded with a barbiturate which has a sedative effect, and is beneficial in helping to sleep when affected by a migraine.
The medications contained in Fioricet are, Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. They are used together in an oral pill form for the treatment of pain, specifically migraine headaches. Acetaminophen, or Tylenol, is a non-narcotic analgesic for pain and headache relief. Butalbital is a barbiturate, commonly used for its sedative effects. Caffeine is also found in many analgesic medications and has been found to be beneficial in Migraine and vascular headaches. Fioricet is also available with codeine. When acetaminophen and codeine are combined, they produce a greater analgesic effect than that produced by acetaminophen alone or by higher doses of opiate. This combination may also cause fewer adverse reactions than equal doses of either medication alone.
The effects of Fioricet on an unborn baby are not known. You should not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. The combination of Fioricet has also been known to pass into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing infant.
In Children-
- For butalbital: Although barbiturates such as butalbital are known to cause drowsiness, it has been found that some children become excited after taking them.
- For acetaminophen: Acetaminophen has been tested in children and has not been shown to cause any different side effects or problems different than adults.
- For caffeine: Caffeine is not expected to cause any different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Fioricet has been proven to be a good medication for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. As with any medication, just be sure to check with your medical professional before starting any medication regimens with Fioricet.
