Fioricet is known as a combination medicine in that it contains more than one medication. Specifically, Fioricet contains acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine.

Caffeine and acetaminophen work for pain relief, while butalbital induces relaxation, thus relaxing the muscle contractions that cause tension headaches. The drug is quite effective for occasional use to treat severe tension headaches that might be disrupting a person’s life.

There are a number of other brands that have the same active ingredients, including:

- - Alagesic
  - Americet
  - Anolor
  - Anoquan
  - Arcet
  - Dolgic
  - Dolmar
  - Endolor
  - Esgic
  - Ezol
  - Femcet
  - Fiorpap
  - G-1
  - Ide-cet
  - Isocet
  - Margesic
  - Medigesic
  - Minotal
  - Mygracet
  - Nonbac
  - Pacaps
  - Pharmagesic
  - Quala Cet
  - Repan
  - Tenake
  - Tencet
  - Triad
  - Two-Dyne
  - Zebutal

These other brands may contain different inactive ingredients, however, which can potentially help avoid allergies or migraine triggers that might be included in the medication.

Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Along with its needed effects, acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine may cause some unwanted effects.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine:

More common Fioricet Side Effects

- - Lightheadedness
  - shortness of breath

Incidence not known

- - Abdominal or stomach pain
  - black, tarry stools
  - bleeding gums
  - blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  - blood in the urine or stools
  - blurred vision
  - change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine
  - chills
  - cough
  - diarrhea
  - difficulty with breathing
  - difficulty with swallowing
  - dizziness
  - drowsiness
  - dry mouth
  - fainting
  - fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  - flushed or dry skin
  - fruit-like breath odor
  - hives, itching, or skin rash
  - increased hunger
  - increased thirst
  - increased urination
  - joint or muscle pain
  - loss of appetite
  - nausea or vomiting
  - pinpoint red spots on the skin
  - puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  - red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  - red, irritated eyes
  - seizures
  - shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  - sore throat
  - sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  - sweating
  - swelling of the feet or lower legs
  - tightness in the chest
  - trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  - troubled breathing
  - unexplained weight loss
  - unusual bleeding or bruising
  - unusual tiredness or weakness
  - weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine:

Symptoms of Overdose

- - Confusion as to time, place, or person
  - dark urine
  - difficult or painful urination
  - dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  - fever
  - general feeling of discomfort or illness
  - hallucinations
  - headache
  - holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
  - increased sweating
  - irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  - light-colored stools
  - loss of appetite
  - pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  - restlessness
  - sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  - sweating
  - trouble sleeping
  - unpleasant breath odor
  - unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
  - vomiting of blood
  - yellow eyes or skin

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- - Relaxed and calm
  - sleepiness

Incidence not known

- - - Anxiety
    - bloated
    - constipation
    - continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
    - depression
    - earache
    - excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
    - false or unusual sense of well-being
    - full feeling
    - hearing loss
    - heartburn
    - heavy eyelids
    - high energy
    - hot spells
    - hyperventilation
    - irritability
    - numbness
    - pain in the leg
    - passing gas
    - sluggishness
    - stuffy nose
    - tingling sensation