Capsules, tablets
To treat tension headaches or migraines.
Butalbital, a barbiturate, acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain. Aspirin appears to interfere with the action of prostaglandins, naturally occurring substances in the body that cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive to pain impulses. Caffeine is believed to enhance the effectiveness of pain relievers. Codeine, a narcotic, is believed to block pain signals to the brain.
1 or 2 capsules or tablets every 4 hours. Do not take more than 6 pills a day.
Within 1 hour.
4 hours.
This medicine should be taken with food or water to minimize stomach irritation.
Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not double the next dose.
You should take this medication as prescribed for the full treatment period, but you may stop taking it if you are feeling better before the scheduled end of therapy. This drug should never be stopped abruptly after long-term regular use.
Narcotic drugs, such as codeine, and barbiturates, such as butalbital, can cause physical dependence. Prolonged use can cause kidney dysfunction.
Adverse reactions may be more likely and more severe in older patients.
Do not drive or engage in hazardous work until you determine how the medicine affects you.
Avoid alcohol.
Taking the medicine late in pregnancy may cause drug dependence in the unborn child. Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Do not use while nursing.
This medicine is generally not prescribed for children under age 12. Consult your doctor before giving it to anyone under age 18 who has a viral illness, especially chicken pox or influenza. The aspirin may cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
Tell any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you are taking this medicine. The drug works best if taken at the first sign of a headache. Tell your doctor if you begin having headaches more frequently than before you started using this medicine. Check with your doctor if the medicine stops working as well as it did at the outset of therapy. Do not try to get better pain relief by increasing the dose. Do not take this drug if it has a strong, vinegary odor.
Ringing in ears, slow and weak pulse, deep sleep, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, deep and rapid breathing, convulsions, loss of consciousness.
Call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS), or the nearest poison control center immediately.
Consult your doctor for specific advice if you are taking acetazolamide, gout medicines, beta-blockers, anticoagulants, methotrexate, narcotic pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, oral diabetes medicines, steroid medicines, tranquilizers, or valproic acid.
No known food interactions.
Consult your doctor if you have any of the following: stomach or duodenal ulcers, asthma, epilepsy, anemia, gout, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Use of this drug may cause complications in patients with liver or kidney disease, since these organs work together to remove the medication from the body.
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