Fioricet (Butalbital + acetaminophen + caffeine): uses, side effects and safety
Butalbital (Fioricet, Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine) is a non-opioid analgesic combination product (barbiturate, analgesic and stimulant). It has no US federal controlled-substance schedule. It is prescription only (rx) and remains on the US market.
What is Butalbital?
Butalbital is the generic name for Fioricet, Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine, and belongs to the Non-opioid analgesic combination product (barbiturate, analgesic and stimulant) class.
| Generic name | Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (tablet) |
|---|---|
| Brand name(s) | Fioricet, Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine |
| Drug class | Non-opioid analgesic combination product (barbiturate, analgesic and stimulant) |
| US legal status | No US federal schedule ยท Prescription only (Rx) |
| Route | Oral |
| Prescription required | Yes |
How does Butalbital work?
Butalbital is a barbiturate, acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic, and caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant; this product contains no opioid..
Serious side effects and warning signs
Seek emergency care for any of these
- hepatotoxicity (documented in the label)
- dependence/addiction from butalbital
- respiratory depression
Suspected overdose or a bad reaction should be reported to Poison Control on 1-800-222-1222. That is staffed around the clock and is free.
Legal status of Butalbital
Butalbital has no US federal controlled-substance schedule. An unscheduled medicine is not an over-the-counter medicine: it remains prescription-only, and individual states may regulate it independently. State rules are covered in our state-by-state section.
Statutory reference: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c018be7d-f7b8-45e2-97b8-8e7a71740657.
Can you get Butalbital without a prescription?
Short answer: no. Butalbital is a prescription medication. Sites advertising it without one are either operating illegally or selling something other than what they claim. We explain the legal routes, the counterfeit problem and how to check a source in detail.
Read the full answer: Butalbital without a prescription →
Related medications
Propoxyphene
Narcotic (opioid) analgesic combination productMedication information page.
Read more →Frequently asked questions
What is Butalbital used for?
See the approved uses section below.
Is Butalbital a controlled substance?
Butalbital has no US federal controlled-substance schedule. That is not the same as being available over the counter: it is still a prescription-only medicine, and a number of individual states regulate it separately.
Sources & references
Important
This site provides educational information only and does not sell, prescribe or dispense medications. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider. This page is not medical advice.