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Aspirin
/ butalbital / caffeine
Brand
Name: Fiorinal
Most
Common Medical Uses
Aspirin
is a pain reliever, as well as an anti-inflammatory and a fever
reducer. Butalbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that
slow down your central nervous system and cause relaxation. Caffeine
is believed to constrict dilated blood vessels that may contribute
to tension headaches. Aspirin / butalbital / caffeine are most commonly
used to relieve complex tension headaches. Aspirin / butalbital
/ caffeine may also be used for purposes other than those listed
here.
How
to Take This Medication
Take
aspirin / butalbital / caffeine exactly as directed by your doctor.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take aspirin / butalbital
/ caffeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Never take
more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much aspirin
/ butalbital / caffeine could be very harmful. Never take more than
six tablets or capsules per day.
Possible
Side Effects
Stop
taking aspirin / butalbital / caffeine and seek emergency medical
attention if you experience any of the following: an allergic reaction
(difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your
lips, tongue, or face; or hives); slow, weak breathing; severe weakness
or dizziness; or black, bloody, or tarry stools or blood in your
urine or vomit. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. Continue to take aspirin / butalbital / caffeine and talk
to your doctor if you experience dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or
decreased appetite; dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness; or
ringing in your ears. Butalbital may be habit forming. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
Precautions
Do
not take aspirin / butalbital / caffeine without first talking to
your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per
day, if you have a stomach ulcer, if you have a bleeding or platelet
disorder, or if you have recently had surgery. Before taking this
medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease;
asthma or another respiratory disease; congestive heart disease
or another type of heart disease; or high blood pressure. Do not
take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. If you are older than 60
years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects
from this medication. Use extra caution. Do not use aspirin / butalbital
/ caffeine to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms,
or chicken pox without first talking to a doctor. In children younger
than 18 years of age, aspirin may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome,
a rare but often fatal condition.
Drug
Interactions
Do
not take aspirin / butalbital / caffeine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous
sedation could result. Aspirin / butalbital / caffeine may increase
the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants,
alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain
relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor
about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine
unless your doctor approves. Dangerous side effects may occur if
aspirin is taken with any of the following medicines: oral anticoagulants
probenecid or sulfinpyrazone , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen
(Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve);
other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as choline salicylate
and magnesium salicylate; steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone),
prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol,
others), dexamethasone (Decadron), and others; or insulin and oral
antidiabetic drugs such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (Micronase,
Diabeta, Glynase). Many other medicines contain aspirin, especially
over-the-counter pain, fever, cold, and allergy medications. Too
much aspirin can be very dangerous. Drugs other than those listed
here may also interact with aspirin / butalbital / caffeine. Talk
to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines.
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose
of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking
your next dose.
Storage
Store
at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all
medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
Use
caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Butalbital may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you
experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Avoid
alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with aspirin / butalbital
/ caffeine can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and can increase
drowsiness and dizziness. Never take more aspirin / butalbital /
caffeine than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately
treated, talk to your doctor. Avoid other over-the-counter and prescription
products that contain aspirin. Too much aspirin could be dangerous.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter
preparations.
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