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Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 7, 2023.

Applies to acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine: oral capsule.

Warning

Oral route (Capsule)

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse

Butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules expose patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors or conditions.

Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)

To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA has required a REMS for these products. Under the requirements of the REMS, drug companies with approved opioid analgesic products must make REMS-compliant eduction programs available to healthcare providers. Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program, counsel patients and/or their caregivers, with every prescription, on safe use, serious risks, storage, and disposal of these products, emphasize to patients and their caregivers the importance of reading the Medication Guide every time it is provided by their pharmacist, and consider other tools to improve patient, household, and community safety.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression

Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules. Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules or following a dose increase.

Accidental Ingestion

Accidental ingestion of even one dose of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules.

Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants

Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Codeine and Other Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Children

Life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine. Most of the reported cases occurred following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and many of the children had evidence of being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine due to a CYP2D6 polymorphism. butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules are contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Avoid the use of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

Prolonged use of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated, and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts. If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.

Interactions with Drug Affecting Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes

The effects of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with codeine are complex. Use of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine phosphate capsules requires careful consideration of the effects on the parent drug, codeine, and the active metabolite, morphine.Hepatotoxicity: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, Caffeine, and Codeine Phosphate Capsules contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine/codeine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine/codeine:

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects

Some side effects of acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine: oral capsule.

General

The most frequently reported adverse events have included drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intoxicated feeling.[Ref]

Hepatic

Acetaminophen:

Frequency not reported: Liver failure[Ref]

Acute liver failure has been reported with acetaminophen use; many cases have been associated with use at doses in excess of 4 g/day, and often involving more than 1 acetaminophen-containing product.[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasal congestion

Codeine:

Postmarketing reports: Respiratory depression including deaths[Ref]

Respiratory depression resulting in death has been reported in children who received codeine postoperatively following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. These children had evidence of being ultra-rapid metabolizers of codeine. Death has also been reported in nursing infants exposed to high levels of morphine in breast milk due to their breastfeeding mother being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of codeine.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reactions

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis

Acetaminophen:

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis[Ref]

Dermatologic

Several cases of dermatologic reactions including toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme have been reported with butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine.[Ref]

Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyperhidrosis, pruritus

Frequency not reported: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme

Acetaminophen:

Rare (less than 0.1%): Serious skin reactions such as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Frequency not reported: Rash[Ref]

Psychiatric

Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, euphoria

Caffeine:

Frequency not reported: Irritability, dependence[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, flatulence, constipation[Ref]

Renal

Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diuresis

Caffeine:

Frequency not reported: Nephrotoxicity[Ref]

Hematologic

Acetaminophen:

Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine:

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia

Caffeine:

Frequency not reported: Cardiac stimulation[Ref]

Nervous system

Butalbital/Acetaminophen/Caffeine/Codeine:

Common (1% to 10%): Drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, shaky feeling, tingly, fainting, numbness, seizures, mental confusion, excitement or depression due to intolerance

Caffeine:

Frequency not reported: Tremor

Opioids:

Frequency not reported: Serotonin syndrome (with concomitant serotonergic drugs)[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Intoxicated feeling

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, high energy, heavy eyelids, sluggishness, hot spells, fever, earache, tinnitus

Metabolic

Caffeine:

Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leg pain, muscle fatigue[Ref]

Endocrine

Opioids:

Frequency not reported: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency

References

1. Product Information. APAP/Butalbital/Caffeine/Codeine (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine). West-Ward Pharmaceutical Corporation, Eatontown, NJ.

2. Product Information. Fioricet with Codeine (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine / codeine). Watson Pharmaceuticals. 2017.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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