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BUTALBITAL/ACETAMINOPHEN/CAFFEINE - ORAL (byou-TAL-bih-tall/uh-seet-uh-MEE-no-fen/kaff-EEN)
IMPORTANT NOTE: When using this medication, you should assure that the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. It's highly recommended to consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before using it.
WHEN DO YOU USE BUTALBITAL DRUG: As Butalbital is a pain reliever and sedative, you can use it in cases to relieve mild to moderate pain and tension headaches.
HOW TO USE: It is recommended to take this medication with food or milk in order to prevent upset stomach. When the pain becomes intense, the medication loses a part of its effectivity, so for the best effect of the medication, use it before pain occurs. You should always take the medication according to the prescription! It is not safe to increase your dose or take it more frequently without consulting your doctor.
MIND THE PRECAUTIONS: Do not use alcohol and other sedative type medications in order to prevent oversedation. When alcohol is used daily, especially when it is combined with acetaminophen, this may increase your risk for liver damage. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to get more information. This drug causes drowsiness and dizziness, so you should be careful when doing activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Do not use alcohol! This medication contains caffeine. Do not drink large amounts of beverages that contain caffeine while taking this medication - mind that it may cause excessive nervousness and irritability. You should inform your doctor of your medical history in any case, especially of: alcohol or narcotic dependence, serious liver disease, heart disease (arrhythmias, recent MI), emotional/mental conditions, stomach/intestinal ulcers, any allergies. Mind, that acetaminophen may cause liver damage. You should only use Butalbital during pregnancy if such treatment is extremely needed, because small amounts of this medication appear in breast milk. And you should consult your doctor specially before breast-feeding.
MEDICATION INTERACTIONS: Butalbital may decrease effectiveness of birth control pills. Probably you will have to discuss other methods of birth control with your doctor. It is not safe to start or stop taking any drug without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medicine you may use, especially of: "blood thinners". Also, it is necessary to inform the doctor if you use drugs that cause drowsiness like: medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Mind that nonprescription pain relievers and cough-and-cold products contain acetaminophen too, so in order to prevent unpleasant circumstances, consult you doctor. You should always check ingredients carefully before using such medications.
PAY ATTENTION TO SIDE EFFECTS: Inform your doctor immediately if you suffer: a rapid/ irregular heartbeat. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but anyway you should notify a professional if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist in case you notice other effects not listed above. In some cases using this medication may cause drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, lightheadedness, nausea, and sleeping disturbance the first few days as your body adjusts to the drug. If these symptoms remain or become worse, contact your healthcare professional.
AN OVERDOSE TROUBLE: There may occur the following symptoms of an overdose: unusual drowsiness, loss of consciousness, lack of feeling alert, vomiting, slow or shallow breathing, cold or clammy skin, stomach pain and extreme fatigue, dark urine. In all cases you should contact your local poison control center or emergency room as soon as possible.
WHEN YOU MISS A DOSE: In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember about it, but not if it is almost the time for the next dose. Thus, skip the missed dose and keep following your usual dosing schedule, but you shouldn't "double-up" the dose anyway.
TERMS OF STORAGE: It is best to store Butalbital at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. This medication can not be stored in the bathroom.
ATTENTION: Don't use the Butalbital with other medicine of the same kind.
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