Is it Possible That Fioricet can Increase the Effects of Methadone?

Methadone is a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist, and a schedule II controlled medication.

Methadone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as well as for pain management. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective. Methadone helps individuals achieve and sustain recovery and to reclaim active and meaningful lives.

Methadone is one component of a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes counseling and other behavioral health therapies to provide patients with a whole-person approach.

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Interactions Between Methadone and butalbital

methadone ↔ butalbital

Applies to: methadone, Fioricet (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine)

MONITOR: The coadministration of barbiturates and methadone may result in decreased plasma concentrations of the latter. There have been case reports of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment who performed poorly or developed withdrawal symptoms during the use of barbiturates, which generally correlated with low plasma methadone levels. The mechanism of the interaction is accelerated clearance of methadone due to induction of hepatic CYP450 enzymatic activities by barbiturates. Although the interaction has only been reported with phenobarbital and pentobarbital, it is expected to occur with all barbiturates based on their known enzyme-inducing capabilities.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant therapy with these agents. Pharmacologic response to methadone should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation, discontinuation or change of dosage of the barbiturate in patients who are stabilized on their methadone regimen. Patients should be advised to notify their caregiver if they experience possible symptoms of methadone withdrawal, including restlessness, insomnia, sweating, lacrimation, or rhinorrhea.

Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with

methadone interacts with more than 400 other drugs.

Fioricet (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine) interacts with more than 400 other drugs.

 

 

Will Fioricet Help Back Pain?

Yes, it may as it contains butalbital, which is a mild narcotic. It is not as effective as other pain medications, but at my job as a neurologic assistant, I see many patients that have told me it improves their back pain.

Fioricet Blue and White Tablet
Fioricet Blue and White Tablet

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

But as Robert said, it is indicated for headaches.

 

Fioricet Drug Interaction

Fioricet contains Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine.  A lot of other pain relievers contain Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine too.

I can only list some common over the counter medicines that contain Acetaminophen:  Actifed, Alka-Seltzer, Plus Liquid Gels, Anacin, Cepacol, Contac, Coricidin, Dayquil, Dimetapp, Dristan, Excedrin, Feverall …

Some prescriptions that contain acetaminophen are: Ultrace, Fioricet, Oxycodone, Endocet, Tylox …

You also must know what drugs contain Butalbital:  Bupap, Phrenilin, Tencon, Cephadyn; Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic-Plus; Fioricet with Codeine, Floricet with Codeine, Phrenilin with Caffeine and Codeine; Axotal; Fiorinal, Butalbital Compound, Farbital, Idenal; Fiorinal with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine III, Ascomp with Codeine, Fiortal with Codeine.

When you take more than one pain killer, you must read very carefully about their components.  Never exceed the max dosage of acetaminophen and butalbital of all the medicines you are taking.   Normally All the packages sent to you have the drug introduction and doctor names and phone number.  Read the drug introduction very carefully and never share the medicines with your sisters, your brothers,  your parents, or any friends. Always do not let the children touch the medicines.

Please donot drink any alcohol (Ethanol) with your Fioricet Because Ethanol together with acetaminophen will cause serious side effects that affect your liver, and Ethanol together with Butalbital will cause side effects of dizziness, drowsiness.

Please don’t take herb while you are taking Fioricet. Even Vitamins will have some interaction with Fioricet.

Be honest to place the current medicines you are taking in the health questionnaire  form. The doctor will check whether you are OK to take Fioricet.  If they think your current drugs or herbs have some interaction with Fioricet, they will phone you to discuss the situation with you. So please always leave us the correct phone number. We will never call you to promote you anything.

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and the medicines listed below.

    • Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
    • Advil (ibuprofen)
    • Ambien (zolpidem)
    • aspirin
    • Ativan (lorazepam)
    • baclofen
    • caffeine
    • clonazepam
    • codeine
    • Cymbalta (duloxetine)
    • Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine)
    • Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
    • gabapentin
    • hydrocodone
    • ibuprofen
    • ibuprofen
    • Imitrex (sumatriptan)
    • Klonopin (clonazepam)
    • levothyroxine
    • Lexapro (escitalopram)
    • lisinopril
    • Lyrica (pregabalin)
    • meloxicam
    • naproxen
    • Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
    • omeprazole
    • oxycodone
    • Percocet (acetaminophen / oxycodone)
    • prednisone
    • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    • Topamax (topiramate)
    • tramadol
    • trazodone
    • Tylenol (acetaminophen)
    • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
    • Xanax (alprazolam)
    • Zofran (ondansetron)

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) disease interactions

There are 25 disease interactions with Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) which include:

    • alcoholism
    • liver disease
    • acute alcohol intoxication
    • drug dependence
    • liver disease
    • porphyria
    • rash
    • respiratory depression
    • cardiac disease
    • hypertension
    • liver disease
    • PUD
    • PKU
    • adrenal insufficiency
    • depression
    • hematologic toxicity
    • osteomalacia
    • paradoxical reactions
    • cardiotoxicity
    • bipolar disorders
    • psychiatric disorders
    • psychotic disorders
    • renal dysfunction
    • seizure disorders
    • GERD

Other Prescription Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Ethanol
    • Tobacco

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Cabbage
    • Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse, history of or
  • Drug dependence, or history of or
  • Weakened physical condition—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Porphyria (an enzyme problem)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
  • Stomach problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

How to treat Fioricet overdose

The treatment of Fioricet overdose is complicated by the presence of two substances which are highly toxic when taken in excessive amounts. Fioricet overdoses generally result in toxic amounts of both acetaminophen and butalbital being consumed at once, requiring both overdoses to be treated at once.

Fioricet overdose by anyone and/or any consumption by persons to whom it is not prescribed (particularly children) is always a medical emergency and medical attention must be sought immediately if an overdose or consumption by other persons is suspected.fioricet

Fioricet overdose is often fatal and symptoms may not present for hours following consumption, once initial overdose symptoms present they can progress rapidly and there may not be time to reach appropriate medical care after this point.

Acetaminophen over-exerts its toxicity through the production of a toxic metabolite which produces liver damage in doses of 3,000mg or more per day and acute liver failure in doses above that. The specific antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N-acetyl-cysteine. Kidney failure and stomach bleeding may also occur.

Butalbital overdoses exerts its toxicity through excessive sedation resulting in respiratory depression and ultimately death via hypoxia. Nonlethal overdoses may also result in coma and death. There is no specific antidote to butalbital overdose and treatment is supportive, common treatment regimens generally include the administration of intravenous administration of saline, naloxone, thiamine, glucose, NaHCO3 to alkalize the urine to increase rate of excretion, and activated charcoal via nasogastric tube. It is not uncommon for doctor to recommend observation of the patient in the Emergency Department for a number of hours or admission to the hospital for several days of observation if symptoms are severe and to counsel the patient on drug abuse and/or refer them for psychiatric evaluation.