Frequently asked questions on Fioricet

Fioricet is not an obscure drug used to treat an obscure condition. It is used to treat one of the most common problems in the world, tension headaches that occur in most people at one time or another and that can be a huge problem for some people. Fioricet is mostly used for serious headaches where the pain is severe and where other drugs do not work. Still, it is not an unknown medication. And yet, people think that they know everything there is to know about this drug when they do not. Here are the questions that are often asked by people who are aware that they do not know everything there is about this drug.

Question 1: When can I use Fioricet?

Answer 1: Fioricet is usually used for treating tension headaches, which is just a fancy name for a headache. The common, everyday headache that we have all experienced at one time or another is a tension headache. These are headaches that are not caused by other conditions. However, you need to be recommended Fioricet by your doctor if you want to be sure that it should be used at that certain point. There may be milder drugs that might help you or you may be in high-risk group of people who should not use this drug. Do not use it without talking to your doctor.

Question 2: Can I use Fioricet for other types of pain?

Answer 2: In theory, you can. Of course, once again provided that your doctor believes it will be safe for you to take it. Fioricet contains two distinct painkiller drugs in it and it may provide you with relief from pain. On the other hand, there may be far better drugs for the type of pain you are experiencing. Fioricet was developed with headaches in mind and it may not be the best solution for other types of pain.

Question 3: Can Fioricet be used for migraines?

Answer 3: Yes it can. In fact, migraines are the most common use for this drug that is considered to be off-label. Many people with migraines say that Fioricet has helped them greatly. However, there are also those for whom it did not work. If your doctor thinks you could try with this dug, then you just might.

Question 4: Can I get addicted to Fioricet?

Answer 4: Yes, you can. The reason for this is that one of the ingredients in Fioricet is butalbital. This drug is from the barbiturate class of medications and these drugs have been known to cause dependency if they are used for longer periods of time. If you use Fioricet for longer periods of time, you may develop dependency to it. Luckily, your doctor can help you discontinue the drug without experiencing withdrawal symptoms by slowly tapering down the drug.

Question 5: Can Fioricet produce side effects?

Answer 5: Yes, it can. Like all other drugs, Fioricet may produce certain side effects. For the most part, these are milder side effects that will not cause you to stop using the drug, e.g. dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, insomnia. Some more serious side effects are listed as possible, although they are quite uncommon and happen in a fraction of people who use the drug. These need to be reported at once to your doctor.

Question 6: Can I combine Fioricet with other painkillers?

Answer 6: You should never do this. Fioricet already contains two painkillers in it, acetaminophen and butalbital. Either one of these can interact with other painkillers and cause very serious interactions which can be extremely dangerous. Too many painkillers in the system may cause seizures, coma, fainting and even death. Moreover, you should never combine Fioricet with any other drugs unless your doctor approves of such combinations.