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| Pronunciation |
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 (byoo
TAL bi tal KOM pound & a
seet a MIN oh fen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Esgic®; Esgic-Plus™;
Fioricet®; Repan® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Barbiturate |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, or any
other part of this medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have porphyria.
If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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This medicine is used to treat tension
headaches. |
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| How does it work? |
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Butalbital calms the brain.
Acetaminophen blocks production and release of chemicals that cause
pain.
Caffeine relieves pain. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
Do not take more than prescribed amount. Liver damage can
occur. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take
more often than every 4 hours, unless instructed by healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could
have more side effects.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
Avoid medicines and natural products that slow your actions and
reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers,
antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
Avoid or limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor) to
less than 3 drinks a day. Drinking too much alcohol may increase the risk of
liver disease.
If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while
taking this medicine. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying
position. Be careful climbing.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Liver damage can rarely occur. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Keep a diary of your headaches.
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Difficulty breathing.
Significant change in balance.
Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
Very nervous and excitable.
Feeling extremely tired or weak.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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Store at room temperature.
Protect from light.
Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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