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Codeine-Butalbital-ASA-Caff

Pronounced

"KO-deen/ASP-er-in/KAF-een/byou-TAL-bih-tall"

Common brand names:

Fiorinal C

Uses

See also Warning section.

This combination medication is used to treat tension headaches. Codeine is an opioid pain reliever that acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. Aspirin helps to decrease the pain from the headache. Caffeine helps increase the effects of aspirin. Butalbital is a sedative that helps to decrease anxiety and cause sleepiness and relaxation.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for migraine headaches.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually every 4 hours as needed. Do not take more than 6 capsules in a 24-hour period. Use the smallest effective dose. Take with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication. If you have nausea, you may take this medication with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1-2 hours with as little head movement as possible).

The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. This medication works best if it is used as the first signs of a headache occur. If you wait until the headache has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed, because your risk of side effects may increase. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.

Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Tell your doctor if you notice increased use of this medication, a worsening of headaches, an increase in the number of headaches, the medication not working as well, use of this medication for more than 2 headache episodes a week, or if you have any new pain. Your doctor may need to change your medication and/or add a separate medication to prevent the headaches.