Drug Uses

Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine is a combination of barbiturate sedative, a non-aspirin pain medicine (acetaminophen) and caffeine. It is a non-narcotic pain reliever and relaxant used for treatment of tension headaches caused by muscle contractions in the neck and shoulders, and migraine.

How Taken

Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine is in the form of a capsule or tablet and is taken orally. The common dosage is one or two tablets every 4-6 hours but it is recommended that you follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. The daily dosage should not exceed 6 tablets. Avoid continuous or repeated usage of Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine because this may cause physical dependence.

Warnings/Precautions

Avoid driving, operating machinery or performing dangerous activities until you know how your body reacts to Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine because the medicine may case drowsiness. Consult your doctor before using Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine if you have been treated for severe depression or have a history of abuse with drugs. The medicine should be used with caution if you are of older age of in case you have liver or kidney problems, or if you have severe abdominal trouble. Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine contains acetaminophen (Tylenol) than may be toxic to the liver and may even be fatal if an increased dosage of it is being used. The daily dosage of acetaminophen should not exceed 4000 mg (4 g) or 2000 mg (2 G) if you are of older age or if you are a chronic user of acetaminophen. Do not forget that Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine contains 325 mg of acetaminophen, and other medicines that you use may also contain acetaminophen. Consult your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant because Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine can affect a fetus. Also, the medicine passes into breast milk and if the treatment is essential for your health your doctor may determine that you should stop breast feeding during the treatment.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as possible and continue taking your next doses at regular intervals. However, if it is already time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and take the regular dose. Do not take a double dose of this medicine.

Possible Side Effects

Adverse effects of Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine cannot be anticipated. Consult your doctor if any side effects develop or if they change their intensity. Your doctor will determine if it is safe to continue using the medicine. Among the common side effects caused by Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine are abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, intoxicated feeling, light-headedness, nausea, sedation, shortness of breath, vomiting. Other less common or rare adverse effects may include agitation, allergic reactions, constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, earache, exaggerated feeling of well-being, excessive sweating, excessive urination, excitement, fainting, fatigue, fever, flatulence, headache, heartburn, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, itching, leg pain, mental confusion, muscle fatigue, numbness, rapid heartbeat, ringing in the ears, seizure, shaky feeling, skin redness and/or peeling, sluggishness, stuffy nose, tingling.

Storage

The medicine should be stored at a temperature below 86 F (30 C) in a tightly closed container. Keep it away from children.

Overdose

An overdose of Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine may be signaled by severe drowsiness, confusion, extreme weakness, hallucination, shortness of breath, too slow or troubled breathing, slurred speech, lack of coordination, vomiting with blood, unusually slow heartbeat. An overdose of this medicine or its combination with alcohol or other depressants may cause unconsciousness or even death.

More Information

You should not use Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the previous 14 days because this may lead to the occurrence of serious adverse effects. Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine may enhance the effects of other medicine which cause drowsiness such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Inform your doctor about all other medicines that you are using and do not take any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.