Brand name:

Fiorinal with Codeine

Why is Fiorinal with Codeine prescribed?

Fiorinal with Codeine, a strong narcotic pain reliever and muscle relaxant, is prescribed for the relief of tension headache caused by stress and muscle contraction in the head, neck, and shoulder area. It combines a sedative-barbiturate (butalbital), a narcotic pain reliever and cough suppressant (codeine), a non-narcotic pain and fever reliever (aspirin), and a stimulant (caffeine).

Most important fact about Fiorinal with Codeine

Barbiturates such as butalbital and narcotics such as codeine can be habit-forming when taken in higher than recommended doses over long periods of time.

How should you take Fiorinal with Codeine?

Take Fiorinal with Codeine with a full glass of water or food to reduce stomach irritation. Do not take Fiorinal with Codeine if it has a strong odor of vinegar.

Take Fiorinal with Codeine exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the amount you take without your doctor's approval.

Do not take it more frequently than your doctor has prescribed.

--If you miss a dose...

If you take the drug on a regular schedule, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed.

Fiorinal with Codeine side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Fiorinal with Codeine.

• Side effects may include:
  Abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea

• Additional side effects, which can be caused by Fiorinal with Codeine's components, may include:
  Anemia, blocked air passages, hepatitis, high blood sugar, internal bleeding, intoxicated feeling, irritability, kidney damage, lack of clotting, light-headedness, peptic ulcer, stomach upset, tremors

Why should Fiorinal with Codeine not be prescribed?

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to butalbital, codeine, aspirin, caffeine, or other pain relievers, you should not take Fiorinal with Codeine. Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.

Unless you are directed to do so by your doctor, do not take this medication if you have: a tendency to bleed too much, severe vitamin K deficiency, severe liver damage, nasal polyps (growths or nodules), asthma due to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin, swelling due to fluid retention, peptic ulcer, or porphyria (an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the liver and bone marrow).

Because aspirin, when given to children and teenagers with chickenpox or flu, can cause a dangerous neurological disease called Reye's syndrome, do not use Fiorinal with Codeine under these circumstances.

Special warnings about Fiorinal with Codeine

Fiorinal with Codeine may make you drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how Fiorinal with Codeine affects you.

Codeine may cause unusually slow or troubled breathing and may increase the pressure caused by fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord in people with head injury. Codeine also affects brain and spinal cord function and makes it hard for the doctor to see how people with head injuries are doing.

If you have chronic (long-lasting or frequently recurring) tension headaches and your prescribed dose of Fiorinal with Codeine does not relieve the pain, consult with your doctor. Taking more of Fiorinal with Codeine than your doctor has prescribed may cause dependence and symptoms of overdose.

Aspirin can cause internal bleeding in people with ulcers or bleeding disorders.

Codeine can hide signs of severe abdominal problems.

If you have ever developed dependence on a drug, consult with your doctor before taking Fiorinal with Codeine.

If you are being treated for a kidney, liver, or blood clotting disorder, consult with your doctor before taking Fiorinal with Codeine.

If you are older or in a weakened condition, be very careful taking Fiorinal with Codeine. You should also be careful if you have Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder), if you have difficulty urinating, if your prostate gland is enlarged, or if your thyroid gland is not working well.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Fiorinal with Codeine

Fiorinal with Codeine reduces the activity of the central nervous system and intensifies the effects of alcohol. Use of alcohol with Fiorinal with Codeine may also cause overdose symptoms. Therefore, use of alcohol should be avoided.

If Fiorinal with Codeine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Fiorinal with Codeine with the following:

Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Antidepressant drugs such as Elavil, Nardil, and Parnate
Antigout medications such as Benemid and Anturane
Antihistamines such as Benadryl
Beta-blocking blood pressure drugs such as Inderal and Tenormin
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Divalproex (Depakote)
Insulin
6-Mercaptopurine (Purinethol)
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
Narcotic pain relievers such as Darvon and Vicodin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Indocin
Oral contraceptives
Oral diabetes drugs such as Micronase
Sleep aids such as Nembutal and Halcion
Steroid drugs such as prednisone
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, others)
Tranquilizers such as Librium, Xanax, and Valium
Valproic acid (Depakene)

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Fiorinal with Codeine during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine appear in breast milk. If Fiorinal with Codeine is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with Fiorinal with Codeine is finished.

Recommended dosage for Fiorinal with Codeine

ADULTS

Overdosage

Symptoms of an overdose of Fiorinal with Codeine are mainly attributed to its barbiturate and codeine ingredients.

• Symptoms attributed to the barbiturate ingredient of Fiorinal with Codeine may include:
  Coma, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, shock, slow or troubled breathing

• Symptoms attributed to the codeine ingredient of Fiorinal with Codeine may include:
  Convulsions, loss of consciousness, pinpoint pupils, troubled and slowed breathing

• Symptoms attributed to the aspirin ingredient of Fiorinal with Codeine may include:
  Abdominal pain, deep, rapid breathing, delirium, high fever, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizures, vomiting

Though caffeine poisoning occurs only at very high doses, it can cause delirium, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and tremor.

If you suspect an overdose of Fiorinal with Codeine, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.