acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine (ora... Health Article

Generic name(s):

acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine (oral)

Brand name(s):

APAP/butalbital/caffeine, Anolor 300, Dolgic LQ, Esgic, Fioricet, Geone, Margesic, Medigesic, Repan, Zebutal

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine?

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause damage to your liver. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or menstrual pain medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains acetaminophen or caffeine. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, do not take acetaminophen without your doctor's advice, and never take more than 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.

What is 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.

The combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.

Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine?

Butalbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

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

Before using acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease,

• liver disease; or

• a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts.

If you have any of these condition, s you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.