This article describes possible side effects of Fioricet oral capsule. To learn more about Fioricet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Fioricet is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in a generic version called butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsule. This article describes possible side effects of Fioricet.
Boxed warning: Risk of serious liver problems
Fioricet has a boxed warning for the risk of serious liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section below.
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More common side effects of Fioricet
Fioricet oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Fioricet oral capsule include:
Mild side effects of Fioricet
Fioricet oral capsule may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Fioricet oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section below.
Fioricet oral capsule may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of Fioricet
Fioricet may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Fioricet oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Fioricet.
Serious side effects of Fioricet oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
- problems thinking or reacting, which can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery
- serious skin reactions*
- risk of serious liver problems†
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section below.
† Fioricet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of Fioricet
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Fioricet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Fioricet cause weight loss or high blood pressure?
No, weight loss isn’t an expected side effect of Fioricet oral capsule. It isn’t reported in the drug’s prescribing information. But nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are common side effects of Fioricet oral capsule. If you have these side effects, you may not feel like eating, which could lead to weight loss.
High blood pressure isn’t reported in the prescribing information either. But Fioricet oral capsule contains caffeine, which can briefly increase your blood pressure. The amount of caffeine in Fioricet oral capsule is about equal to a caffeinated soda or half of a cup of coffee. If you’re sensitive to caffeine’s effects, this amount could raise your blood pressure for a short time.
If you’re concerned about weight loss or high blood pressure, talk with your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage these symptoms.
Does Fioricet cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with Fioricet oral capsule. In studies, people who had taken the drug for an extended time did not report long-term side effects. There were also no reports of long lasting side effects after treatment ended.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with Fioricet.
Is misuse, dependence, or withdrawal a possible side effect of Fioricet?
Yes, misuse, dependence, and withdrawal are possible side effects of Fioricet oral capsule. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual. Dependence on Fioricet can be either a physical or mental need for the drug. If you become dependent on a drug, withdrawal symptoms can happen if you stop taking the drug too quickly.
Taking Fioricet oral capsule for a long time or taking high doses increases the risk of these side effects. Due to this risk, doctors usually suggest Fioricet for a short amount of time and at the lowest effective dose.
If you have concerns about misuse, dependence, or withdrawal, talk with your doctor. If you are having these side effects, your doctor can help.
Side effects of Fioricet in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Fioricet.
Risk of serious liver problems
Fioricet oral capsule has a boxed warning for the risk of serious liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
It’s important to note that people taking Fioricet oral capsule in studies did not report liver problems. Instead, the risk is because Fioricet contains acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver failure. Sometimes, this has resulted in death or the need for a liver transplant.
Symptoms of liver problems may include:
- belly pain
- dark urine
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
Certain factors can increase the risk of serious liver problems with Fioricet oral capsule. These include:
- drinking alcohol
- having liver disease
- taking other products that contain acetaminophen
Ways to manage
You can reduce the risk of serious liver problems by not drinking alcohol while taking Fioricet oral capsule. You should also avoid other products that contain acetaminophen. Look for acetaminophen on drug package labels. It’s sometimes listed as APAP or AC in drug product names. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the safe amount of acetaminophen to take.
If you experience symptoms of liver problems, get medical care right away.
Serious skin reactions
In studies, serious skin reactions were rare in people taking Fioricet oral capsule. This side effect may be serious.
Serious skin reactions with Fioricet oral capsule are a form of allergic reaction. They include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and erythema multiforme. These skin reactions can be fatal without treatment.
Symptoms may include:
- blistering or peeling skin
- fatigue
- fever
- headache
- joint or body aches
- mouth or eye sores
- rash
- red eyes
- skin pain
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a serious skin reaction, tell your doctor and get emergency medical care right away.
For some people, Fioricet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- severe skin rashes that may blister or peel
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Fioricet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Fioricet
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Fioricet oral capsule.
Boxed warning: Risk of serious liver problems
Fioricet oral capsule has a boxed warning for the risk of serious liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Fioricet oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Fioricet oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Fioricet oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include:
Fioricet and pregnancy
It is unknown whether you should take Fioricet oral capsule during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Fioricet and breastfeeding
You should not take Fioricet oral capsule while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Fioricet.
Fioricet oral capsule is known to interact with alcohol.
Drinking alcohol with Fioricet increases the risk of serious liver problems. Fioricet oral capsule has a boxed warning for the risk of serious liver problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects of Fioricet in detail” section above.
Drinking alcohol with Fioricet oral capsule can also make some side effects worse. This includes drowsiness and problems with thinking or reacting. Due to these risks, drinking alcohol with Fioricet oral capsule isn’t recommended.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about ways to avoid it during your treatment with Fioricet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Fioricet oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the risks of side effects of Fioricet compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
- How can I manage the most common side effects of Fioricet oral capsule?
- Do any of the other medications I take increase the risk of side effects with Fioricet?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
