Skip to main content

Fioricet: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 20, 2023.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Fioricet may be used for the short-term treatment of tension-type headaches; however, it is not a first-choice medicine because it is potentially habit-forming and causes sedation. Simpler and safer analgesics or analgesic combinations should be tried first, but if used, Fioricet should not be taken for more than 3 days per month.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with Fioricet may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Fioricet. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with Fioricet include:

Avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking Fioricet because it may enhance the hepatotoxic effect of acetaminophen.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Fioricet. You should refer to the prescribing information for Fioricet for a complete list of interactions.

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Fioricet only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2024 Drugs.com. Revision date: November 20, 2023.