Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

Skip to main content
Print
Save

# Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine

Generic name: acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine [ a-SEET-a-MIN-o-fen, bue-TAL-bi-tal, KAF-een, and-KOE-deen ]
Brand names: Fioricet with Codeine, Phrenilin with Caffeine and Codeine
Dosage form: oral capsule (300 mg-50 mg-40 mg-30 mg; 325 mg-50 mg-40 mg-30 mg)
Drug class: Narcotic analgesic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 28, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is this acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine?

Codeine is an opioid pain medication. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever. Butalbital is a barbiturate. Caffeine is a stimulant.

Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine is a combination medicine used to treat tension headaches.

Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 12 years old, or anyone under 18 who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Taking opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use opioid medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, or codeine, or if you have:

- severe asthma or breathing problems;

- a blockage in your stomach or intestines;

- porphyria; or

- if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- breathing problems, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);

- a head injury, or seizures;

- liver or kidney disease;

- urination problems;

- problems with your gallbladder, thyroid, or adrenal gland; or

- alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you use opioid medicine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Do not breastfeed. Codeine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby.

## Related/similar drugs

ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Fioricet

## How should I take acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to take more of this medicine.

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away opioid medicine is against the law.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using the medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag throw the bag in the trash.

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An opioid overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don't wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.

Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.

## What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP). Taking too much acetaminophen can lead to a fatal overdose.

## acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

- noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;

- a slow heart rate or weak pulse;

- extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;

- chest pain, fast or pounding heart rate, feeling short of breath;

- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;

- high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

- low cortisol levels-- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness; or

- liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and those who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects include:

- drowsiness, dizziness, feeling "drunk";

- headache, tiredness; or

- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine side effects (more detail)

## Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Headache:

1 or 2 capsules orally every 4 hours as needed not to exceed 6 capsules per day
Comments:
-Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, prescribing should be reserved to patients for whom alternative options have not been tolerated or are not expected to be tolerated; and for patients for whom alternative options have not provided adequate analgesia or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia.
-The safety and efficacy of treating multiple recurrent headaches with this product is not known.
Uses: For the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache when nonopioid analgesic and alternative treatments are inadequate.

Detailed Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine dosage information

## What other drugs will affect acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine?

You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

Opioid medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:

- cold or allergy medicines, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medication, or a diuretic ("water pill");

- medicines for motion sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, or overactive bladder;

- other opioids--opioid pain medicine or prescription cough medicine;

- a sedative like Valium--diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;

- drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing--a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness;

- drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body--a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine, and codeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

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

## More about acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (30)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: narcotic analgesic combinations

### Patient resources

- Advanced Reading
- Butalbital, Acetaminophen, Caffeine, and Codeine
- En español

#### Other brands

Fioricet with Codeine, Phrenilin with Caffeine and Codeine

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Headache

## Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 19.01.