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Fioricet is a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine. Acetaminophen relieves pain and reduces fever. Butalbital belongs to a type of drugs called barbiturates, which slow down your central nervous system and cause relaxation. Caffeine is thought to constrict dilated blood vessels that may contribute to tension headaches. The combination is used for relief of complex tension headaches (muscle contraction headaches), although it is not known how precisely it works.

Take exactly as directed. Take each dose with a full glass of water; take with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Do not take a higher dose than was prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, consult your physicain.

Store at room temp. away from sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

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Serious side effects that should make you seek emergency medical help are: an allergic reaction; slow, weak breathing; liver damage (as seen in yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); easy or unusual bleeding or bruising; or low blood sugar (fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, dizziness, or fainting). Note that these are very rare side effects, unlikely to occur in proper treatment. Other, less serious side effects are less uncommon: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, confusion, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, tiredness, leg pain or muscle weakness, agitation, irritability, nervousness, anxiety or excitability, rash or itching, sense of intoxication, or constipation. If you experience any of these, continue to take Fioricet and consult a physicain.

Combining Fioricet with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), is dangerous. Do not take Fioricet if you are taking a MAOI or if you have taken one in the last 14 days. Acetaminophen and butalbital may intensify drowsiness caused by other substances, such as antidepressants, alcohol, and sedatives. Check the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking Fioricet. Many other medicines have acetaminophen like Fioricet does, particularly over-the-counter medications for pain, fever, cold, and allergy. You should not exceed 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day. Too much acetaminophen can be very dangerous. Before you start taking Fioricet, tell your physicain about all drugs you may be using. Also consult a physicain before starting to take any other medicine while you are using Fioricet.

Fioricet may make you sleepy or dizzy: be cautious when performing hazardous activities that require alertness, coordination, or concentration, such as driving or operating machinery. Do not take sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers while you are taking Fioricet without getting your physicain's approval first. Avoid drinking alcohol. In combination with acetaminophen and butalbital, it can cause serious damage to your liver as well as increasing drowsiness and dizziness.

Novartis is a global company that develops and markets health products. Its core businesses are in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health. Novartis was created in 1996 from the merger of the Swiss companies Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz.