Butalbital Risk Summary

Risk Factor: C*
Class: Central nervous system drugs / Sedatives and hypnotics

Fetal Risk Summary

Butalbital is a short-acting barbiturate that is contained in a number of analgesic mixtures. In a large prospective study, 112 patients were exposed to this drug during the 1st trimester (1). No association with malformations was found. Severe neonatal withdrawal was described in a male infant whose mother took 150 mg of butalbital daily during the last 2 months of pregnancy in the form of a proprietary headache mixture (Esgic-butalbital 50 mg, caffeine 40 mg, and acetaminophen 325 mg/dose) (2). The infant was also exposed to oxycodone, pentazocine, and acetaminophen during the 1st trimester, but apparently these had been discontinued before the start of the butalbital product. Onset of withdrawal occurred within 2 days of birth.

In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 1,124 newborns had been exposed to butalbital during the 1st trimester (F. Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). A total of 53 (4.7%) major birth defects were observed (45 expected). Specific data were available for six defect categories, including (observed/expected) 10/11 cardiovascular defects, 1/2 oral clefts, 0/0.5 spina bifida, 1/3 polydactyly, 2/2 limb reduction defects, and 2/3 hypospadias. These data do not support an association between the drug and congenital defects.

[*Risk Factor D if used for prolonged periods or in high doses at term.]

Breast Feeding Summary

No data are available (see also Pentobarbital).

References

1. Heinonen OP, Slone D, Shapiro S. Birth Defects and Drugs in Pregnancy. Littleton, MA:Publishing Sciences Group, 1977:3367.
2. Ostrea EM. Neonatal withdrawal from intrauterine exposure to butalbital. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982;143:5979.

Questions and Answers

Is there a prescription medicine with butalbital by itself?, A friend takes Fioricet for headaches and it contains the sedative "butalbital" combined with tylenol and caffeine. She would like to avoid the tylenol and caffeine for their obvious ill effects and find a way to take butalbital by itself? Would love any information you could provide about this or about butalbital. Thanks

If your friend is trying to avoid the tylenol component of the drug Fioricet...then he/she should NOT take any of the butalbital-APAP combination drugs. APAP (also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol) is the active ingredient in tylenol (and is found in Fioricet).

Unfortunately, butalbital is not available by itself in the US. However, it is available in combination with aspirin and caffeine. One brand is called FIORINAL (other generics exist also). This product would avoid the tylenol part of the drug combination.

If your friend would prefer to avoid the caffeine component of Fioricet, then there a number of caffeine-free butalbital-acetaminophen combinations available (one is called BUTAPAP in the US).

Unfortunately, neither of the aforementioned products contain only butalbital. There used to be a butalbital-aspirin combination available in the US (called Axotal), but it was discontinued.

Butalbital and acetaminophen combination is a pain reliever and relaxant. It is used to treat tension headaches. Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates. Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.

What can I take together with fioricet (butalbital) to enhance or prolong its euphoric effects?,

I used to take alka seltzer to enhance the effects, but a few years ago they changed it, and took the enhancing effects out of it due to people having strokes.
So maybe try some weed?


ya doc's a medical professional, but he cant spell butalbital

Is it illegal to buy the drug fioricet or butalbital online with out a perscriptopn?, I get terrible migranes but my doctor basicly tells me to deal with it and will not offer a presription. I know these drugs work to releive the pain. I would like to by them online but I do not want to get in any trouble.

Not only is it illegal, but even if you do order it online, it's very possible that it will get confiscated even before it gets to you. Even if by chance it did go through, there is a chance that you may not only not get what you order, but it could be something that is dangerous to take. Your best bet is to change doctors if you aren't happy with the one you currently have.

How does Butalbital make you feel?, How does the caffeine and sedative in it react together when you take it? Does it make you feel really tired or really hyper?

It definitely gets me a bit hyper. However, this is the only med I can take for my tension and migraine headaches so I have learned to deal with this side effect.

How long do barbiturates (Fiorinal/ Butalbital) stay in your system? When could I pass a urine drug test?, I took the pain killer for a migraine, but it wasn't prescribed to me. I know that's not good, but I was desperate. But I have a urine drug test. I'm certainly not a user, but I'm concerned. I took it Saturday July 5, and my test is Monday July 14. Will I pass?

I have researched your question and I have found no Half -Life to this drug. This generally means that it does not stay in your system for very long.
If you want to pass your drug test, here's how.
When you wake up the morning of your test, urinate. If youy have to urinate again before your test go ahead and do so. Do not urinate two hours before your test. This is were it gets nasty. Take two shots (2 ounces) of Vinegar two hours before your test. You can drink water and/or anything acidic (grapefruit/orange juice) but do not pee until your test.
Your urine will show that it is acidic but it covers the Butalbital in your system.
Good Luck!

Why would a LPN who we susp. stole a duragesic patch test very high (1219) for butalbital? Is it the patch?, I see that butalbital is a barbituate. I'm curious if the duragesic (25mg) would cause this or if it contains a barbituate? That was the only hit on her drug screen...

A Duragesic patch shouldn't make you test positive for barbituates. Maybe she is taking a different medication. Either way it doesn't really matter if she is stealing medications especially narcotics then it doesn't matter one way or another it is still unacceptable.

How long will Apap/butalbital/caffeine pills stay in my system, i took one for a tension hedache.?,

The plasma half-life is 1.25 to 3 hours, but may be increased by liver damage

Have you ever taken Butalbital and acetaminophen ?, mine is without caffiene, my doctor gave it to me for migrianes but haven't needed to take it yet. Did it work for you?

i did when i had headaches from breaking my nose.
it is pretty strong stuff. they also make it with codeine.
it is called fiorinal w/codeine. or without codeine!
it should work for you!
don't drink w/ it!

Can I legally buy butalbital online with out seeing my doctor?, Does the questionaire on the pharmacuetical website count as a doctors exam?

Yes, it is Legal to buy certain prescription drugs online if they are located and Licensed in the USA. The questionaire is what the Doctor needs to know BEFORE giving you a prescription. To just write out prescriptions would be illegal. I get my Butalbital online without a prior prescription at MedicineRx.Net . They have a wide selection of medicines, all of them are available to you online, 24x7. No Waiting for Doctors, you will enjoy Complete privacy, and you can order anytime, in your Own time, with No prior prescription needed! Now you can enjoy the convenience of ordering from your own home or office at the time that suits you! Order Safely and Securely through our secure transaction server, and pay using a wide range of credit cards.

The order process could not be simpler, just select the medicines you need, fill in a medical questionnaire, and submit your order. A U.S Licensed Physicians will review your order and issue your prescription. Next, a U.S. Licensed Pharmacy will dispense, and FedEx your order discreetly using Next day delivery. i hope this answers your question.

Continue reading here: Captopril Risk Summary

Was this article helpful?

0 0