Generic Name: Fioricet for Headache (acetaminophen-butalbital-caffeine)
Fioricet for Headache Reviews
"First, this med Fioricet is not addictive. I take it as needed. Originally prescribed years ago for tension and sinus headaches. Four years ago, I had surgery (upper extremity) and have suffered from chronic pain in upper back and shoulder muscles as well as upper cervical, causing headaches. I take 1/2 tablet every 4 to 6 hours, and it allows me to function. It doesn’t ever relieve all the pain but is an adequate alternative to dangerous narcotics. NOT ADDICTIVE. Fioricet makes life bearable with no side effects."
"I have suffered from headaches and migraines most of my life. I used to take Excedrin Migraine like candy until my doctor prescribed Fioricet. Works like a charm every time. Miracle drug in my opinion. I'm 62."
"I have had migraine headaches for over 30 years. I have taken MANY meds that were prescribed by Neurologists that created a lot of side effects, none that were helpful. I now take 2 Fioricet pills every day and find it manages my chronic daily headaches most days. I know it is believed that my headaches may be rebound headaches, but all the many attempts to address this have failed. My use has not escalated, and I am able to work at a demanding job and be present for my family. I am very grateful for Fioricet!"
"Fioricet is the only prescription to lessen or stop my daily migraines of 15 years. Like many others, I have tried many things, always under the care of my neurologist, primary care, and pain management doctor. I never used more than prescribed. I would prefer not using it due to the stigma of using a narcotic. Medicare Part D doesn't cover it. Only another migraine sufferer knows."
"I love this medicine! I've been struggling with terrible brain fog. Bad constant pressure in my head. I've had a CT scan and it came back normal. I've been back and forth to my primary doc and no luck with medicines. Finally, after a trip to the ER one terrible night, the doc prescribed me Fioricet. I've been taking it since and it blew my mind how effective it is at taking away my fog and pressure. I suffer from bad anger and tension headaches. This drug has been a Godsend for my issues, and I've been happy and calm at work, my head's never felt better!"
"Have had migraines since I was in my 20s. Like many have said I was given Toradol, Cafergot, Darvocet, birth control pills, Elavil, Inderal, and nothing worked. Have had to go to the ER at least 2-3 times yearly over the years. Twenty years ago I had a severe neck injury and a closed head injury after a car accident, and my migraines went from a monthly occurrence to daily. I was also given the nerve block shots at the base of the skull. My ER visits increased to several times a year. Finally, a co-worker who also suffered from migraines asked if I had ever tried Excedrin or been prescribed Fioricet. I hadn't, so I asked my doctor, and he wrote a script for it. That was 20 years ago, and I haven't had an ER visit since. I am 60 now."
"Do not let the big drug company-sponsored research scare you out of trying this medication for your tension HA. I have tried several medications in the past, all with promises of being the miracle drug for me. Fioricet is the only medication that allowed me to be truly free of my HA. I was unable to work and collected unemployment. Fioricet allowed me to work and be free from government oversight. Thank you to all the companies out there that don't let the old-line drugs fall away from doctors' sight."
"Fioricet is the only medication that will quickly and effectively get rid of my migraine/tension headaches. I've tried multiple other medications, treatments without relief. Without them I'm totally incapacitated, in bed, no lights, nausea and frequent emergency room visits. So far without signs of dependence, withdrawals or addiction. However I despise the looks or comments at certain pharmacies like you're an addict! Obviously these people have never experienced severe headaches."
"Headaches (HA) that lasted days. I was missing work and felt distant from my friends and family. Went to multiple doctors, was put on Zanaflex, Sumatriptan, Zofran, and Topamax. None of them worked, so I continued to take ibuprofen nearly every day and ended up with a stomach ulcer. Still had horrible HAs at least once a week and felt none of my doctors were listening to me, so I got a new doctor. First visit, he prescribed me Fioricet and was shocked nobody did before. It has improved my life so much. It is the first thing that I have used that actually works every time. Some people say it makes them really groggy, but I don't feel that at all. I have been prescribed opioids and benzos in the past for unrelated issues, and this drug isn't even close to either of those. I take it at work and it makes me feel relaxed, but I can still function, even better than not taking it. I feel happy again instead of dreading life because my head and neck are really bothering me."
"I have been in severe chronic pain for 40 years. I suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for twenty years. I had two blood vessels pressing on the trigeminal nerve, which feels as though I was being stabbed with a red-hot poker in my right eye. Plus, the right side of my face would pull down with cluster and migraines. For years, Fioricet was the only med that relieved the nerve pain. I used other pain meds for other pain relief. Ultimately, I had to have brain surgery, it has a big name, but Teflon pads between blood vessels and the trigeminal nerve. It worked for 20 years. I now have fifth nerve - glossopharyngeal nerve which runs along the right side of the tongue. An electric shock lasting a split second or longer from one time a day or for 30 minutes, once a day to every hour. Nerves stay inflamed-like it is scalded. Can't brush teeth, eat anything spicy, hot, etc., without extreme nerve pain. The only med. that relieves some of the pain is Fioricet. Taking two 50-325+ caff."
"MAGIC. I never leave home without at least two pills in my purse. I've suffered from migraines since I was 17 (23 now, not that long but long enough) and have been on almost everything. I've been basically turned away by two neurologists because they have nothing left to try with me. I refuse to take any kind of heavy narcotic unless I am forced to go to the ER and I was finally prescribed Fioricet, and it worked like no other. Instead of having to drop everything I was doing when the migraine started to lay in a dark room, I was able to take 1-2 pills depending on the severity and go on with my day like nothing had happened. It's absolutely amazing. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND"
"I've had migraines for 40 years and tried everything, and the one drug that keeps them at bay is Fioricet. I have to take it 3 times a day to keep them away. With the new drug rules that you can't get your pain meds until the exact day, it sucks. Several times when I should be able to get them, Walgreens doesn't stock them, so I end up with a bad migraine for 3 days that Imitrex barely helps. I, too, after taking it for over 10 years, now prefer the codeine version. My neck is full of arthritis."
"I have had a headache non-stop for 8 months now. Fioricet is the only thing saving me. It stops the pain (till it wears off) with no side effects. I hate taking meds. But this one I have to give a 10 stars!"
"I have been suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome for 10 months. I was a prisoner in my own house and lived like I was 80, and I am only 43. I had to stop working, driving, and going anywhere that I had to stand or walk. Last week, I went to a new Neurosurgeon, and he prescribed Fioricet. I take 2 tablets every 4 hours, but as soon as it gets close to that 4-hour mark, the pain comes right back. Luckily, it only takes about 15-20 mins before it kicks in. I called my Dr. today and said I love this medicine. I finally feel like I am claiming my life back again. My only worry is that I am going to have to stay on this medicine for the rest of my life."
"I've had headaches for as long as I can remember. I've taken Excedrin, Imitrex, Tramadol. Nothing worked till my OB gave me Fioricet, and it was a godsend. I've been on it for 40 years with no side effects. Now the doctors are so worried about the barbiturate. Heavens, it's not an opioid. Unfortunately, Utah is very strict with this drug, for reasons I will not say. It's a miracle drug for me."
"I have had migraines forever. I have had to go to the hospital and they would give me shots of Toradol, Phenergan, and Dilaudid. It worked, but it made me sick and my headache came back as soon as I finally woke up. I had one that helped the most, which was amitriptyline, but I gained so much weight from it. I quit it and gave up until recently I went to the after-hours clinic, and they prescribed me Fioricet tablets four times a day for headaches. It's the best prescription ever and better, it only costs 13 dollars and works 100% better."
"I noticed a few people mentioned that their insurance didn't cover it. I experienced the same problem. Insurance didn't cover my script. Then one day, a pharmacist tried to run it as a pill instead of the capsule, and like magic, insurance covered the script. Fioricet works wonders for my migraines and tension headaches. Unfortunately, I go to a local clinic where doctor turnover is high, so I have to jump through hoops and have my meds screwed with about every six months. They always end up prescribing me Fioricet, but not until they try a litany of trial and error on my headaches. I've had clusters, migraines, and tension headaches since 1971. I used to take Darvocet 100's, and they quit making those. Then Midrin, and they stopped that. Now Fioricet, and they're kind of weird about that. Just remember to try the pill and not capsule tablets and see if your insurance is more user-friendly."
"I have had headaches of some sort since 1992. Migraine, tension, and cluster among others I can't describe. This is the only med that comes close to giving me relief! It's not intended for migraines, but it seems to take the sharp edge off of it! Thank goodness I haven't had any bad side effects from it. Now and then I will have a rebound h/a, but nothing bad!"
"I have had a lifetime of debilitating headaches, through which pricey neurologists have determined that I have 2 types of headaches going on - though perhaps not at the same time. I have severe tension headaches, as well as headaches with a significant migraine component (I see the aura - I can tell when those are on the way). Fioricet is a fundamental front-line treatment for the tension headaches, and with Fioricet, they usually do not develop into the severe (keep me in a quiet, dark room) type, which were MUCH more frequent without Fioricet. I fully endorse it in my case."
"I've taken this medicine for nearly 15 years for debilitating migraines. I am not addicted to Fioricet. I do not get rebound headaches. When the pain is gone, it's gone. I have bad arthritis in the neck causing a combination of migraine and cluster migraines. I've taken every possible anticonvulsant combo and tried all kinds of migraine relief drugs and OTCs. Nothing takes the pain away like Fioricet. I take zonisamide as a prophylactic now along with Fioricet as needed. The frequency of headaches has decreased with age but nonetheless still occur. Fioricet will now not be covered by the insurance company. This is appalling. Really? Because of what? Addicts? Why are we penalizing those who need it by making them pay full price?"
"I have had a pounding, throbbing migraine for 18 days, a terrible throbbing pain on the left side of my head. I tried everything under the sun: Imitrex, over-the-counter remedies, everything. The only thing that worked for me is Fioricet, it took away my migraine in an instant. I suffer from anxiety, so that caused my tension migraines. This medicine puts anxiety at ease, and my migraine is completely gone. Please don't be in pain anymore, go to your doctor and get Fioricet. I feel for all the migraine sufferers, I have been dealing with it for half my life. Don't be in pain anymore, this medicine will really work. Also, if you have moderate to severe anxiety like I do, hope this helps!!!"
"Fioricet works to eliminate most of my migraine symptoms; i.e., tight, tense neck, shoulders, upper back, and facial muscles, throbbing, radiating, and stabbing pains, and nausea. It greatly reduces and sometimes eliminates changes in tastes and smells, sound, and light sensitivities."
"I've had migraines for about 30+ years. After many tests and trials by a neurologist, she put me on a 'triple therapy' treatment consisting of 25 mg Indomethacin capsule, 50 mg Fioricet, and an anti-nausea med. I stopped taking the anti-nausea meds because I never get nauseous with my migraines, but the other two are the ONLY meds that have ever totally gotten rid of my migraines. So my testament is from using these two for over 30 years. At the first sign of a migraine or waking up with one, I usually take 1 Indomethacin and 1/2 tablet Fioricet, and I'm good for the rest of the day! Thumbs up!!"
"I've had headaches since early childhood and I swear I tried everything: OTC medicines, chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, different diets, physical therapy, ultrasound. Finally, after seeing a million doctors, including two neurologists and a pain specialist, I moved to a new state and started seeing a Physician's Assistant who prescribed me Fioricet. What a difference in my life. My headaches go away within an hour or so now, instead of just 'waiting it out' for 3 to 6 days. I would tell anyone with TMJ and/or tension headaches to try this. It works best if you take it as soon as you feel a headache coming on. I, too, tried to use it as a last resort, but I have learned that it's not worth the suffering."
"I've been taking Fioricet for 40 years. I've had migraines for 53 years. I was 19 when it was first prescribed for me, before that, my life revolved around my headaches. Fioricet changed my life for the incredibly better. I'm a third-generation migraine sufferer, so I suppose there's an argument for a genetic predisposition. Up until I was 19, headaches were an almost daily occurrence since I was very young, lasting from 8 hours to days. So many things triggered them that I won't even begin to make a list. I am careful about the acetaminophen component, which seems to be the main potential negative health issue. Rebound headaches can also occur, but it's nothing compared to the life-enhancing benefits, at least for me."
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