Fioricet and Esgic is made from a combination of butalbital

Butalbital

Butalbital, structure presents as 5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with an intermediate duration of action. It has the same chemical formula as talbutal but a different structure. Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as paracetamol or aspirin, and is...

 (a barbiturate

Barbiturate

Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They are also effective as anxiolytics, as hypnotics, and as anticonvulsants...

, 50 mg), acetaminophen (325 mg), and caffeine

Caffeine

Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...

 (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

Pain

Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...

 related ailments. However, Fioricet (and some other pain medications) are also implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use.

Usage and dosage

Fioricet is indicated for the treatment of complex and muscle contraction headaches. It is also commonly prescribed for migraines although it is not FDA indicated for this use. The usual adult dose is 1-2 tablets every four hours as needed, not exceeding six tablets in a 24 hour period.

Mechanism of action

Butalbital has generalized depressant effect on central nervous system

Central nervous system

The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...

 and, in very high doses, has peripheral effects. Acetaminophen has analgesic

Analgesic

An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....

 and antipyretic

Antipyretic

Antipyretics ; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature...

 effects; its analgesic effects may be mediated through inhibition of prostaglandin

Prostaglandin

A prostaglandin is any member of a group of lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from fatty acids and have important functions in the animal body. Every prostaglandin contains 20 carbon atoms, including a 5-carbon ring....

 synthetase enzyme complex. Caffeine is thought to produce constriction of cerebral

Brain

The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...

 blood vessels.

Butalbital has a half-life of about 35 hours. Acetaminophen has a half-life of about 1.25 to 3 hours, but may be increased by liver damage and after an overdose. Caffeine has a half-life of about 5 to 7 hours.

Side effects

Side effects for any drug are difficult to predict, but commonly reported side effects for Fioricet include:

• Dizziness
  Dizziness
  Dizziness refers to an impairment in spatial perception and stability. The term is somewhat imprecise. It can be used to mean vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, or a non-specific feeling such as giddiness or foolishness....
  
  
• Drowsiness
• Intoxicated feeling
• Light-headedness
• Nausea
  Nausea
  Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
  
  
• Vomiting
  Vomiting
  Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
  
  
• Sedation
  Sedation
  Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure...
  
  
• Substance dependence
  Substance dependence
  The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
  
  
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
  Abdominal pain
  Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can result in this symptom. Abdominal pain is a common problem...
  
  

(Rare side-effects include Stevens–Johnson syndrome, an adverse reaction to barbiturates.)

Variations

• Phrenilin is an equivalent combination of butalbital
  Butalbital
  Butalbital, structure presents as 5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with an intermediate duration of action. It has the same chemical formula as talbutal but a different structure. Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as paracetamol or aspirin, and is...
  
   and acetaminophen, without the caffeine
  Caffeine
  Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
  
   (325/50).
• Esgic Plus and Phrenilin Forte contains 500 and 650 miligrams of acetaminophen respectively, instead of 325 milligrams. Additionally, Esgic Plus contains 40 milligrams of caffeine
  Caffeine
  Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
  
  .
• Fiorinal
  Fiorinal
  See also: Fioricet, a preparation using paracetamol instead of aspirin.In the US, Fiorinal is a combination analgesic medication consisting of aspirin, the barbiturate butalbital and caffeine; in other countries the formulation may differ. For example, in Australia Fiorinal consists of...
  
   contains aspirin
  Aspirin
  Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
  
   instead of acetaminophen.
• Fiorinal
  Fiorinal
  See also: Fioricet, a preparation using paracetamol instead of aspirin.In the US, Fiorinal is a combination analgesic medication consisting of aspirin, the barbiturate butalbital and caffeine; in other countries the formulation may differ. For example, in Australia Fiorinal consists of...
  
   and Fioricet also come as combination drugs with codeine
  Codeine
  Codeine or 3-methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive, and antidiarrheal properties...
  
  called Fiorinal with Codeine and Fioricet with Codeine, respectively, which add 30 milligrams of codeine phosphate to each mixture.

External links

• Fioricet - drugs.com
• Fiorinal & Fioricet - National Headache Foundation