A tablet of Fioricet contains 325 milligrams of acetaminophen, 50 milligrams of butalbital and 40 milligrams of caffeine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever, butalbital is a barbiturate, and caffeine is a stimulant. The combination of drugs used in Fioricet is also sold under other brand names such as Alagesic, Dolgic, Esgic and Zebutal. All the active ingredients in Fioricet are potentially addictive, especially butalbital.
Physicians usually prescribe Fioricet for headaches caused by muscle contractions. They may also prescribe it for migraine headaches, although the Food and Drug Administration has not indicated it for this purpose. The typical adult dose of Fioricet is one to two tablets every four hours, not to exceed six tablets every 24 hours.
Common Fioricet Overdose Symptoms
Acetaminophen relieves pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthetase enzymes, and it has a half-life of no more than three hours. Butalbital depresses the central nervous system and has a half-life of about 35 hours. Caffeine causes the cerebral blood vessels to constrict and has a half-life of about six hours. Mild Fioricet overdose symptoms include the following:
- Abdominal aches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Euphoria
- Intestinal problems
- Sedation
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
Butalbital can also cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome in rare cases, like all barbiturates. This syndrome is a life-threatening skin condition.
Did You Know?
Fioricet with codeine is a combination drug that also adds 30 milligrams of codeine to each tablet.
Withdrawal from Fioricet
“Withdrawal symptoms of Fioricet occur when you stop taking this drug after becoming dependent upon it.”Withdrawal symptoms of Fioricet occur when you stop taking this drug after becoming dependent upon it. A physician will typically reduce your dosage slowly in order to minimize the withdrawal symptoms, rather than abruptly discontinuing your usage of Fioricet. You may also receive medication to help you taper off Fioricet. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin between 8 and 36 hours after your last dose and may last up to a week or two. Signs of an overdose on Fioricet include the following:
- Anxiety
- Breathing trouble
- Raised blood pressure
- Elevated body temperature
- Delirium
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Shaking
Call to find out more information about Fioricet addiction treatment.
Available Fioricet Treatment Options
In the event of an overdose on Fioricet, call 911 immediately. Emergency treatment is critical to ensure the person remains stable. After the immediate overdose risk is averted, subsequent care is essential to effectively address the drug abuse or addiction issue.
Fioricet rehab treatment normally begins with the detoxification phase. This process reduces the patient’s dosage of Fioricet until they are no longer taking the drug at all. The detoxification phase of the treatment eliminates the patient’s physical dependence on Fioricet. The remainder of a treatment program for Fioricet addiction deals primarily with the psychological aspect of the addiction.
Did You Know?
Fiorinal is similar to Fioricet except that Fiorinal replaces acetaminophen with aspirin. Phrenilin is also similar to Fioricet but it does not contain caffeine.
