Skip to main content

Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Fioricet, Zebutal, Capacet Phrenilin Forte Vtol LQ Vanatol LQ Anolor 300 Vanatol S

Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine has an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 from a total of 250 reviews on Drugs.com. 85% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 7% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine

  • blueb...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 29, 2019

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I had my 1st migraine/tension headache about 10yrs ago. I was on Midrin,(which is THE BEST med IMO) before it went off market. Next:Imitrex,it was ok until I developed Serotonin Syndrome, so I’m banned from Triptans & Ergo’s. Then the"replacement"for Midrin had come out ,but IT went off the market too! So now Fioricet! I was on 1cap: 2X’s/day PRN w/no relief & also no SE’s. Now I take 2caps PRN & it’s close to how Midrin worked, so I’m happy with it!"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • chetm...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 6, 2017

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "Like all the meds for pain, sleep, back in the day; the 60s to the turn of the 21st century, these drugs actually work. I thought fiorinal had gone the way of Seconal, Nembutal, Amytal, Tuinal, Doriden, and the scores of other equally effective compounds, but a doctor recently gave me a script for Fioricet, shocked it was still around, and that it was not a controlled substance here in Tucson; but best of all, it works. I've always sworn by these pills; they live up to their claim of effectiveness on tension, and not just headaches; they handle stress, anxiety, panic disorders, and the entire spectrum of nervous disorders. New is not better, it's just a poor smudged carbon copy of the original, and a very bad one at that."

Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • DARRL...
  • June 10, 2017

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "This is the best medicine for tension headaches bar none. Big pharma has tried to get it banned for years because it is so cheap and effective which is a treat to their vastly over priced, dangerous and ineffective alternatives.. IF YOU HAVE HEADACHE OF ANY KIND, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO TRY THIS MIRACLE (FOR ME) MEDICATION."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • Dance...
  • January 9, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "This is an old medication that I hope will never be removed. My grandfather used to take it when it wasn't a prescription. My father took it and I take it. It kills the headache with just one dose within 20 minutes. Sometimes I may get sleepy when it takes effect, but I also believe this happens due to the possibility that I hadn't slept well and is why that particular headache came on. When I first started taking fioricet, I did feel some light nausea, and dizziness, but I do not get those side effects any more. I also am sure I eat a couple of saltines when I take it. I have been on many other medications for my headaches and have not had the possitive results that I get from the fiorocet."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
49 Report
  • Katchi
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 13, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I suffered from headaches my whole life (I'm 53). Nothing would help until it was prescribed during my 1st pregancy when I was 38 & suffered even worse hormonal headaches. It was like a miracle drug. I am a huge proponent of being conservative with medications in general & try to live a "natural" healthy lifstyle. A whole bottle will last me over a year. Most of my headaches are tension so when I tried this I almost cried from finding something to relieve my debilitating headaches. If I feel a bad one coming on, I'll take a half one then wait a bit to see how I feel. I'll follow with the other half if it's really bad. Can't say enough good about this medication."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Aaman...
  • October 15, 2014

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I just took this medicine for the first time, I have had severe migraines for years. I can't believe how well this medicine is working already! I have chronic sinusitis, degenerative disc decease and TMJ. I also have braces and just got them tightened so I haven't even wanted to get out of bed lately. I am so excited I found this medicine, I can't believe I was never told about it before!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
52 Report
  • Tensi...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 2, 2015

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "Like many others, have suffered from tension and/or migraine headaches since I was a child (age 7 or so). My mother and father both had histories of tension and/or migraine headaches. I was prescribed initially fiorinal, around age 15, and then changed to fioricet by my neurologist due to upper gi problems (gerd). Until I had this medication prescribed, my life was controlled by my headaches. I can remember as a teenager, feeling that I couldn't be away from home for very long due to fearing a headache would come on. No child or adult should have to feel that way! I wish that all the physicians who are uncomfortable prescribing this medicine would read these comments! Thank you."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
50 Report
  • Chaina
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • November 15, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I started off on Fiorinal...it has aspirin instead of Tylenol. I took that for about 20 yrs till the aspirin tore up my stomach. I WAS switched to Fioricet. ...almost as good as the Fiorinal. Together it's been OVER 40 yrs on this drug....absolutely fantastic. Helps me function and helps with the migraines and the almost daily tension headaches I get. Some of the headaches get so bad it feels my heads exploding...Fioricet gets me thru this without any side effects. For me this is a great drug...my new drs have decided to slowly take me off it...and lately I've gone back to suffering. Gotta find new drs somewhere to give me my regular # of pills. I've been lucky to have taken pills that've helped me so very much.l"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • Andie
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 19, 2013

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I developed a tumor 6 yrs ago because of a temporary lack of oxygen and since then I have suffered severe, debilitating migraines that last for days. I've been through several neurologists trying to get help and have been on very strong medications that mess with my brain chemistry to little alleviating effect. The neurologist I currently have began giving me nerve block injections in nerve bundles near the base of my skull every few months. They are very painful & only last about 8 weeks, sometimes longer if I'm lucky. During my last round he gave me Fioricet to try to prolong the time between shots. I have to say it works wonders. I only take 1 and can actually function. If it returns I simply take another! That's all I need for weeks, at times."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
56 Report
  • Bobo
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 25, 2019

For Headache "I noticed that the best time to take the drug (1 pill) is at 4am, when I have to go to the bathroom at night. If I feel that I might be getting a migraine in the morning, I take the pill and go back to sleep. I wake up with no migraine and the migraine is gone for the rest of the day. If I hadn’t taken the pill (at/or around 4 am), a migraine will develop in the morning, and I will not be able to get rid of it, even if I take a pill at 7 or 8 am. Strange.., but I have tested this process a number of times."

Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • Renee...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 18, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I have received great relief from this medication. It says discontinued because the acetaminophen dose has been lowered to 300 MG per tablet. It IS still available. Great medicine for headaches. Take with food though."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • preoc...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 13, 2013

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "Excellent for migraines. No side effects. My 15 years old also suffers from migraines and it works great for him too. Usually only one pill a day helps. Other times just two a day helps to completely get rid of severe migraine. "

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • Tuuli
  • May 19, 2017

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I've been having migraines since I was a little girl. I've been on all sorts of migraine meds over the years. Imitrex, triptan, neurotoxin, and even Xanax because they thought it is being caused by anxiety. About 2 years ago I was in my classroom and had a wicked migraine. A sub told me about fioricet. I asked my doctor, mind you I was being seen by my doctor for this problem. When I arrived at the doctors that day. I couldn't even open my eyes. She prescribed it to me before I went over for another CT scan of my head. It worked so fast and I got relief before I left from my CT scan. It was a miracle. Nothing worked liked fioricet. But I've had other types of migraines, other then ones coming from my neck, it didn't work the same."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
34 Report
  • happy...
  • August 21, 2013

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "Have been using Fioricet when required for 4 years. I always go too long before taking it for tension headaches. Usually one pill does wonders and I can get on with my day. Will continue to use it as needed."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report
  • diana...
  • March 30, 2015

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I have suffered from migraines for as long as I can remember. Tried everything then my Dr. Gave me Fioricet and I love it gets rid of migraines when I'm out I will use Ibuprofen as I AM a recovering Addict and don't want to rely solely on this medicine to get rid of headaches. No more ER visits for this chick!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • Trian...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 23, 2015

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I switched to this after taking Midrin for some time. This works more quickly, has very little side effect, and all around is better. It works for about 95% of my migraines. Sometimes 1 pill and 1 OTC is enough, sometimes 2 pills are needed, and on rare occasion, 3 are necessary. I've never had a migraine that couldn't be killed given enough Fioricet."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • ms...
  • January 8, 2015

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "It is the best medicine that really works control my tension headache. One tablet is enough to make the discomfort go away in a matter of minutes. It is taken only when necessary. However, not all doctors recommend this med because it could be habit forming and might damage the liver. At times, there are doctors that over reacts even though you tell them that you only take it as needed and that you were careful. On the other hand, there are the smart doctors that prescribes it PRN as treatment for headache. "

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • Faith...
  • December 5, 2019

For Headache "I have had cluster/tension headaches since my 20’s (I’m now 57). Started with Midrin then it went off market. Imitrex didn’t help & I tried Fioricet. My headaches will start in my right eye, then wrap around my head like a vice and if I don’t take Fioricet within an hour or two, these headaches will last for 2-3 weeks. Then in July of this year, my family dr wanted me to go to a NEUROLIGIST & wouldn’t prescribe it anymore. His office said it was now classified as a narcotic (I’m in FL). So, I’ve taken hoards of Excedrine & ended up with a bleeding ulcer. The nurse at my dr’s office begged me to stop the Excedrine. I told her I can’t get in to my NEUROLIGIST until mid JAN of 2020. I was in tears today. I told her I had taken 6 Excedrine since I woke up. They asked me to do a CT Scan the next day at the hospital but today - he called in 90 Fioricet w/3 refills. I guess they finally believed me."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Boxer...
  • May 5, 2009

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I have been a suffering from migraine headaches for 20 years. I've tried EVERYTHING. My experience has shown if you take 2 tablets of Fioricet at the onset of one, you will do yourself a huge favor. It works. It may not eliminate your migraine but it will make it tolerable and less severe. Like others above, you have to be careful about how much you do take. I've found if I had a bad headache and have taken several pills, I have to then ween myself off of it by taking one pill every 4 hours over the next day or so to prevent a rebound headache. If you take many of these to relieve a headache, I recommend taking a few when your headache is gone to prevent a rebound. I make sure I carry my Fioricet with me at all times."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
53 Report
  • Rigz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 2, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I have never had any major headaches to speak of. Recently I had a major migraine for 4 days. This got so bad I literally thought my head was going to explode. I got 2 shots 2 days in a row thst barely numbed the pain. My doctor then ordered a ct scan which came back ok. After pleading to the doctor nothing was working he prescribed this. Wow is all I can say. Headache stopped and hasn't returned. I would recommend trying this as the first option instead of suffering through different things"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report
  • Hurtman
  • September 7, 2012

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I'm new to the throbbing, headache life. Went to emergency yesterday after having had a headache that would not go away after it started 7 days from then. Chiropractor exam and such checked out. Eye doctor checked out. Was alternating between two pain medicines during that week in order to manage the pain. ER doctor prescribed me Fioricet. I'm keeping a log of it as I go...started with one pill so far to see how it went. Took first pill at 12:00am and 1 1/2 hour later the pain was numb enough to make me comfortable. This morning I took it again at 9:00am since the pain was starting again. 40 minutes later the pain is gone. I'm really liking this medicine so far."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • Ms An...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 10, 2015

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "My doctor prescribed Fioricet as a first-line treatment for my headaches. (I'm still not sure whether they're migraines, tension headaches or something else but they always happen during my period). Fioricet definitely works, albeit with some side effects. I react poorly to sedative drugs like butalbital in that I get awful rebound anxiety/depression after only a couple doses. All the more reason to use this medication sparingly. There's a definite euphoric effect that lends itself to abuse. The combo of caffeine + a sedative is a strange one, but it works when all OTC stuff has failed. I much prefer it over something like Topamax."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • WHAT...
  • December 22, 2016

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I was having severe migranes and eyes would be sensitive to light, could not tolerate noise. I found myself laying down most of the time in a ball with a headache. I finally was sent to a Dr. that prescribed this medicine for me and what a relief. My heachaches are under control but every now and then I get a flare up, but this is one of my preventive med's that I've been receiving for years. It works for me."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report
  • Relie...
  • January 24, 2013

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I've had migraines my entire life. This is the only thing that has helped me. I have taken birth controls for years. I only take one Fioricet per day when I feel a headache starting and I haven't had a "migraine" since I started this medication a couple of weeks ago. This is my miracle pill."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • Kshea
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 28, 2019

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) for Headache "I began getting migraines about a year after my first child .. It is legit hands down the best drug I've taken for migraine. I stopped drinking in 2011 fully expecting to be healthy. That didn't even happen a little bit. I've devoted diabetes, and when my bs crashes, I instantly get a migraine. Fioricet works better than any drug that I've tried. The only thing that I don't like is sometimes I do get a rebound headache or the hangover feeling."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.