Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tension Headache, Fioricet and Butalbital

At our Online Pharmacy and many others, the most frequently prescribed medication is butalbital, the generic form of Fioricet. Patients are prescribed this medication for relief of tension headache. This article summarizes tension headache as well as butalbital to help patients make informed choices about their treatment.

Tension headache, also called “muscle contraction headache” or “stress headache” is a condition involving pain in the head, neck or scalp. It is typically a dull, achy feeling on both sides of the head, often associated with tightness of the muscles in the affected area. Tension headaches usually start in the middle of the day, typically building slowly and gradually. They can become quite severe, even more painful than a migraine headache. The pain may be worsened by noise or glare.

Tension headache is often the result of stress, anxiety or depression. It can also result from holding the head in a constant or awkward position for long times, for example when using a computer, typing or performing fine work using the hands. Other contributing factors may include excessive alcohol consumption, eyestrain, fatigue, excess caffeine, sinus infection and the flu.

Tension headache can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, but is not dangerous. It is important to differentiate between tension headache and other conditions which result in head pain, however. If the pain is associated with vision changes, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures or it does not respond to treatment, a physician should be consulted immediately.

While the mechanism behind tension headaches is not completely understood, there are a variety of treatments available with varying efficacy for patients. These include relaxation exercises, meditation, hot showers, biofeedback, a hot or cold pack placed on the point of pain, exercise and over the counter medication. Given the escalating nature of the headache, it is advisable to treat the pain as early as possible and prevent the pain from increasing in severity. For many patients, there is simply no substitute for Fioricet or butalbital. This medication is a combination of three ingredients (50 mg butalbital, 325 mg acetaminophen and 40 mg caffeine). For some reason, this combination of ingredients in this ratio of quantities is particularly effective in treating tension headache.

Butalbital is a barbiturate. It is responsible for relaxing the skeletal muscles in the head, neck and scalp. Acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Tylenol is acetaminophen. Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant found naturally in coffee. All the ingredients in Butalbital (Fioricet) are absorbed quickly. They are eliminated from the body in a variety of ways involving the liver and kidneys. It is interesting to note that while the caffeine and acetaminophen are eliminated from the body rather quickly (half of the drug is eliminated from the body in 3 hours), the butalbital component remains in the body much longer (half of the drug is eliminated in 35 hours).

While Fioricet and butalbital are safe medications, it is helpful to understand the precautions advised by the drug manufacturers when taking this medication. If you have a hypersensitivity to any of the components in butalbital, obviously you should consult a physician before taking the medication. Since the medication is cleared from the body by the kidneys and liver, any patient with impared liver or kidney function should consult a physician. The package insert for Fioricet also mentions that patients with porphyria should exercise the same caution, as should patients taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Fioricet and butalbital have other warnings as well. The medication can give patients a feeling of intoxication and euphoria, and may be habit forming.

Butalbital is a central nervous system depressant. This attribute accounts for the relaxation of skeletal muscle associated with tension headache, but it also carries the same risk as other CNS depressants. You should avoid driving or operating machinery when using this medication, as it can impair your mental and/or physical abilities. Alcohol can greatly strengthen the CNS depressant capability of the medication- avoid combining alcohol and butalbital.

Adverse reactions to butalbital and Fioricet include: drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. As with any medication, there have been a wide range of other rare adverse reactions reported.

In conclusion, Fioricet and Butalbital are safe medications which are effective treatment for tension headaches. An educated patient is a safe patient, so it is important to understand the information in this article. If you do not understand the information in this article, or if you fall into any of the advisory categories, it is best to consult a physician before beginning treatment.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Take Fioricet to Relieve Your Headache

Fioricet is a brand name of a drug made from a mixture of butalbital, acetaminophen, and Caffeine. I have found it useful in the treatment of headaches arising due to tensions and muscle contractions. You can also use it for the treatment of migraines and other pain connected ailments. However, note that Fioricet is not entirely labeled as a pain reliever.

I was only able to obtain the medication with a doctor’s prescription. If you often suffer from constant headaches, then talk to your doctor to find out if Fioricet is a Good option in controlling and treating your recurring headaches. The recommended dosage that I was required to take as an adult is 1-2 tablets after every four hours and I was not to surpass six tablets in a day.

Acetaminophen is a well-recognized and accepted pain reliever that you can obtain over the counter. Acetaminophen is the active element in several of the pain relievers including Tylenol, as well as in cough and cold medications. Since Acetaminophen is available in many of the common drugs, you should be aware of the constituents of the medication to avoid overdosing.

Caffeine is also present in many of the over the counter drugs as well as in many foods and beverages such as tea, coffee and cola. Caffeine is used in Fioricet to enhance acetaminophens effectiveness. When you are under the Fioricet medication, avoid substances containing caffeine to avoid overdose and caffeine intoxication or nervousness.

Butalbital is a part of the barbiturate drugs class. It is sedative in nature and used in Fioricet to relax the muscles. I was able to relieve headaches associated with muscle tension as well. Barbiturate can be habitual; therefore, you should take care when using Fioricet to prevent dependency to the drug. Fioricet is only taken as prescribed by a Doctor and you should not exceed the indicated dosage. If you have a history of dependency to drugs you should not be prescribed Fioricet.

You may suffer certain side effects from the drug such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, nervousness, dizziness, tremors, nervousness, anxiety, and shortness of breath, lightheadedness or drowsiness. Several of these indications are because of overuse of the medication, dependency or withdrawal. You need to report to the Doctor immediately in case you display these symptoms. Severe side effects can be an indication of Fioricet overdose and can be fatal.

Therefore, if you think that you have overdosed Fioricet seek immediate medical help. It could necessitate that you come off Fioricet by slowly decreasing doses to prevent negative withdrawal side effects. This point should be discussed with your Doctor before you stop Fioricet using.

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Fioricet with Codeine is a barbiturate, analgesic, stimulant, and narcotic combination. Acetaminophen and codeine work in the brain to relieve pain. Caffeine constricts blood vessels in the brain, which may help to relieve headache pain. Butalbital reduces anxiety and helps you to relax. Mental and physical dependence can occur with the use of barbiturates such as butalbital when these pills are taken in higher than recommended doses over long periods of time. If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to barbiturates, acetaminophen, or caffeine, you should not Take Fioricet. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any med reactions that you have experienced.

Fioricet may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, driving or operating dangerous machinery or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness is not recommended until you know your response to Fioricet. If you are being treated for severe depression or have a history of severe depression or drug abuse, consult with your doctor before taking Fioricet. Use Fioricet with caution if you are elderly or in a weakened condition, if you have liver or kidney problems, or if you have severe abdominal trouble.

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Tramadol is one pain relief medication that is commonly prescribed to people who suffer moderate to severe pain. It's available in a capsule form and in a chewable form, however the capsule seems to be more common. Tablets have been surfacing also, as well as time-released caplets, which are growing in popularity as drug companies market them. If you are injured and subsequently prescribed this medication, it is important you ask what the side effects are. In some cases, side effects can be steep for this medication and others.

There are also chances of withdrawal symptoms, like any other pain relief drug on the market.

First off, I'd like to say that I'm not a member of the medical community. You will not find this article full of medical lingo. I am however, a woman who has suffered from migraines for over 30 years.

Migraines, AAARGH! Everyone who has, or currently having migraines, just upon hearing the word, knows how debilitating they can be. The sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and the vomiting. They can also last for hours. Some people have migraines occasionally, while others, such as myself, have them constantly.

Migraines, according to the medical community, is caused by the sudden constricting and releasing of blood vessels. However, this is not always the case.

The psychological effects that accompany recovery from a disease or injury heighten chronic pain. A loss of confidence is often triggered by prolonged periods of rest and inactivity that cause a loss of physical strength, endurance and flexibility. If the injury has prevented you from performing your usual duties, you may succumb to frustration and depression. Impatience is chronic pain's best friend as many individuals overexert themselves before they have completely healed, thus triggering more pain.

Fioricet and Esgic are brand name drugs made from a combination of butalbital (a barbiturate, 50 mg), acetaminophen (325 mg), and caffeine (40 mg). They are indicated for the treatment of tension headaches and muscle contraction headaches. Although not indicated, they are commonly used to treat migraines and other pain related ailments. Note that Fioricet (and some other pain medications) are implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use.