This article describes Fioricet with Codeine’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Fioricet with Codeine. If you want to know more about Fioricet with Codeine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Fioricet with Codeine is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral capsule. It’s available in a generic version called butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine/codeine. This article describes dosages of Fioricet with Codeine.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- risk of addiction and misuse
- risk of serious breathing problems
- risk of accidental ingestion
- risk of serious effects if taken with certain medications
- risk of serious harm in certain children
- risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)
- risk of serious liver problems
For details, see the “Dosage of Fioricet with Codeine” section below. See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strength of Fioricet with Codeine
Fioricet with Codeine comes as follows:
- Form: capsule that you swallow
- Strength: 50 milligrams (mg) butalbital, 325 mg acetaminophen, 40 mg caffeine, 30 mg codeine
Dosage of Fioricet with Codeine
This article describes the recommended dosages for Fioricet with Codeine. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Fioricet with Codeine without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosage of Fioricet with Codeine in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Fioricet with Codeine. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Fioricet with Codeine that gives the desired outcome.
The recommended dosage of Fioricet with Codeine for tension headaches is:
- Dose: 1–2 capsules
- Frequency: once every 4 hours as needed
- Maximum dosage: 6 capsules per day
Dosage adjustments for Fioricet with Codeine
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Fioricet with Codeine based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
Missed dose of Fioricet with Codeine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Fioricet with Codeine. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Fioricet with Codeine and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Fioricet with Codeine and its dosage.
Can Fioricet with codeine be used for migraine or sleep? If so, what is the dosage?
Maybe. But Fioricet with Codeine isn’t approved to treat migraine or sleep problems. It’s prescribed to treat tension headaches that aren’t managed by other treatments.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Fioricet with Codeine off label for migraine or problems with sleep. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you have questions about treatment options for migraine or sleep issues, talk with your doctor.
Is Fioricet with Codeine taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Fioricet with Codeine as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.
If you have questions about how long you should take Fioricet with Codeine, talk with your doctor.
How Fioricet with Codeine is taken
You’ll swallow Fioricet with Codeine once every 4 hours as needed. You can take it with or without food. Taking it with food can lower your risk of an upset stomach.
The drugmaker hasn’t specified whether you can open Fioricet with Codeine capsules. If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of Fioricet with Codeine
It’s important that you do not take more Fioricet with Codeine than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Fioricet with Codeine overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- slow or shallow breathing, which is known as respiratory depression
- extreme sleepiness
- limp muscles
- cold and clammy skin
- small pupils, which are known as pinpoint pupils
- fluid in the lungs
- slow heart rate
- low blood pressure
- unusual snoring
What to do if you take too much Fioricet with Codeine
If you think you’ve taken too much Fioricet with Codeine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosage for Fioricet with Codeine. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Fioricet with Codeine without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Fioricet with Codeine exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here are some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will you be changing my dosage of Fioricet with Codeine if I take other drugs with it?
- Will a lower dosage of Fioricet with Codeine reduce my risk of addiction?
- How long will I need to take Fioricet with Codeine?
Boxed warnings for Fioricet with Codeine
Fioricet with Codeine has boxed warnings about certain risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of misuse and addiction. Fioricet with Codeine has a risk of misuse and addiction. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Addiction means taking a drug even if it’s causing harm. Doctors sometimes refer to misuse and addiction as substance use disorder.) Addiction can occur even if Fioricet with Codeine is taken at the recommended dosage.
Due to these risks, Fioricet with Codeine is prescribed through the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. This helps make sure the drug is prescribed safely.
Risk of serious breathing problems. Fioricet with Codeine can cause slowed or shallow breathing, which is known as respiratory depression. Respiratory depression can be life threatening and lead to death if it’s not recognized right away and treated.
Respiratory depression can occur at any time during treatment even if the drug is taken at the recommended dosage. But the risk is highest when you first start taking Fioricet with Codeine or if your doctor increases your dosage.
If you develop any trouble breathing while taking Fioricet with Codeine, call 911 to get emergency medical help right away.
Risk of accidental ingestion. Accidentally taking even one dose of Fioricet with Codeine can cause serious and life threatening side effects. These include respiratory depression, overdose, and death. This risk is especially high in children.
Because of this risk, you should store Fioricet with Codeine in a secure place that can’t be accessed by others, especially children.
Risk of serious effects if taken with certain medications. Taking certain other medications with Fioricet with Codeine can cause serious side effects, including extreme sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and death. These medications include any drugs that slow your brain function, which are known as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Examples of CNS depressants include sedatives, benzodiazepines, and muscle relaxants. Serious side effects can also occur if you drink alcohol or use illegal drugs while taking Fioricet with Codeine.
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Fioricet with Codeine if you’re taking another CNS depressant. If the decision is made that you’ll take both medications, your doctor will likely prescribe the lowest effective dosage of Fioricet with Codeine for the shortest amount of time needed.
Many medications also affect the amount of Fioricet with Codeine in your body. Some medications cause Fioricet with Codeine to build up in your system. While other medications may lower the level of Fioricet with Codeine in your body. Due to this risk, it’s important to talk with your doctor and pharmacist before starting or stopping any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, or supplements.
Risk of serious harm in certain children. Fioricet with Codeine can increase the risk of respiratory depression and death in certain children. This includes children younger than ages 12 years, children who have undergone surgery to remove their tonsils or adenoids, and children with obstructive sleep apnea.
Due to this risk, children younger than ages 12 years should not take Fioricet with Codeine. Children younger than ages 18 years should not take this drug for pain management after surgery to remove their tonsils or adenoids.
Risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Taking Fioricet with Codeine for long periods of time during pregnancy can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body is dependent on. Dependence means your body needs the drug to function as usual.) With NOWS, withdrawal symptoms affect the newborn. NOWS may be life threatening if it’s not recognized and treated right away. For this reason, if you’re taking Fioricet with Codeine while pregnant, your newborn will be monitored closely for symptoms of NOWS.
Risk of serious liver problems. Fioricet with Codeine contains acetaminophen, which can increase your risk of serious liver problems, including sudden liver failure. This risk is higher if you take more than 4,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per day, if you have a history of liver disease, or if you drink alcohol while taking this drug.
Many over-the-counter drugs contain acetaminophen. Be sure to check package labels to make sure you’re not taking multiple medications that contain acetaminophen. Doing so can make it more likely to exceed the maximum dosage of 4,000 mg per day. If you realize you’ve taken more than the maximum recommended dosage, get medical help right away, even if you feel well.
For details, see the “Dosage of Fioricet with Codeine” section above. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
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.