Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine for Headache User Reviews (Page 5)
Brand names: Fioricet, Zebutal, Capacet Phrenilin Forte Vtol LQ Vanatol LQ Anolor 300 Vanatol S
Reviews for Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine
- Lis...
- April 11, 2017
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I got this prescribed by the ER after dealing with severe migraines. Took it for the first time today after trying everything else and no relief in sight. Within 30 minutes, my headache was gone. I did notice a slight lightheaded feeling in the beginning, but it soon passed, and I finished out the rest of my day at work like normal. I'm definitely a fan!"
- Ame...
- December 24, 2015
"I have suffered from migraines since the age of 9. I've had a slew of Drs tell me I have severe tension vascular migraines. To make things worse, I had a car accident that knocked my jaw off center, which exacerbated the migraines. I now have two bone spurs in my neck. The ONLY medication that works for me is Fioricet. I have tried everything, including Maxalt, Imitrex, Zomig, and just about every painkiller from OTC to prescribed. My neurologist finally tried Fioricet, and it worked. I have never felt addicted to this medication, as side effects are a drowsy feeling. I hate feeling sleepy when I'm running around... I like feeling energy. So this medication, I strongly recommend asking your Dr. about. It works at the onset!"
- Shr...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 28, 2018
"Nothing else works as well. The problem is the price keeps going up, even for the 325 tablets. This drug has been around since the '80s at least. So, no reason to charge so much - no new research nor change of ingredients has been done on this one. Several years ago, they reduced the amount of acetaminophen to 300. But it costs more. They reduce the amount of active ingredient and charge more. Explain that!!!!"
- Fri...
- January 28, 2011
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "Was prescribed Fioricet for my headaches that don't go away with regular means or my Toradol. I've either woken up with or developed a headache for 2 weeks in a row now. The Fioricet seemed to make the headache abate, so I didn't notice it as much the first day I took it, but the headache was back the next day. So, it didn't work for me, but it does make me not care so much and feel sleepy. As you can see by the other posts here, whether it works or not is a personal thing."
- ddd...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 30, 2015
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "Was prescribed this for tension headaches. It does something, but it makes me dizzy and lightheaded. It seems to start working nearly immediately (reduces the pain by like 50-75%), but after not too long, the headache will start slowly creeping back over the course of the next few hours. I actually have a headache I've been attempting to treat with it right now, and so far I've taken 7 pills over the course of 26 hours, and it's still here."
- Anonymous
- April 18, 2010
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I had a doctor give me Fioricet and told me to come back in 3 weeks to see if it worked for me, and it was the one thing that actually worked. So I went back in 3 weeks, and he told me it was not part of a healthy diet and would not give me any more. So really, what was the point of the false hope? I continue to suffer at least 2 days a week from massive headaches. My stomach is gonna fall apart from all the over-the-counter medications I take way too much of, for very little relief."
- Jag...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- July 28, 2024
"I have had migraine headaches for over 50 years. Medications that I have taken in the past never really helped my migraine headaches. Last year, I had a horrible migraine headache that affected both sides of my head. According to my doctors, this is a rare occurrence. The pain was excruciating and resulted in my being hospitalized. The MRI taken at the hospital revealed that I had suffered from a stroke. The medication I was using before just did not help the migraine. I asked my doctor, 'There has got to be something out there that can help me avoid having another stroke due to migraine headaches.' He recommended But/Acetaminophen/Caffeine. The next migraine I had, I started taking this medication, and I was totally amazed at the quick turnaround response. After taking the tablet within about 20 minutes, the migraine was gone. Now I no longer suffer from the debilitating headaches, knowing that when I take this Rx, my migraine will stop. I highly recommend this medicine."
- Han...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- October 22, 2022
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "For years, my migraines were so bad I was experiencing memory loss, I spoke nonsense words and made my home dark. My stress was 15 out of 10. I weighed 115 lbs after having 3 children. I looked 50 at 35. I was taking a lot of over-the-counter medications in my desperation. My pain management doc gave me Fioricet. I took 2 on set and 2 after two hours. It was prescribed 1 every six hours, but that didn’t help. I was able to finish a 6-year university education and took care of my family. I am very efficient in my job and am happy. Even after taking my medicine, my body has adjusted, and I am able to do my job. After 20 years of suffering, my greatest fear is not being able to control my pain. I do continue to look for other alternatives but have found none."
- Anonymous
- February 8, 2011
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I fell back in 2007 and did a lot of damage to my neck and back. Since then, I've suffered tension headaches that are absolutely debilitating. I have to curl up in a cold, dark, quiet place and wait for them to end, like others, usually between 3-6 days. I've tried everything: heat, ice, physical therapy, trigger point therapy, visualization, exercise, core strengthening, significant weight loss (100 lbs), relaxation techniques, psychologists, and medication after medication. I had a doctor prescribe Fioricet a couple of months ago. My headaches aren't 'cured,' but I can definitely function if I have to now. I only take them when I have to, though. No withdrawal symptoms yet at all. I do get insomnia though."
- CRR...
- July 9, 2013
"After 4 neck/disc fusions. Degeneration/neuropathy. More pain. I couldn't take constant tension and migraine headaches. My PC put me on this 3 years ago. What a 100% help (more than morphine/long-acting meds). It helps great."
- Nan...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- November 7, 2021
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "Chronic daily migraineur since 2004. Fioricet is hit and miss regarding relief. Constant long-term struggle trying many, many modalities. However, I think rebound migraines from 4 - 6 pills daily are contributing to never getting significant sustained relief. I would not recommend using it. I hope to eventually end the use of Fioricet."
- bas...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 20, 2014
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I had a migraine/headache for two weeks. I took everything over the counter, nothing helped. Then I tried hydrocodone, it didn't help at all. Then I tried my daughter's Midrin, and it did take the edge off, turning it into just a headache, but it didn't take it away. I went to my doctor and was given an injection, Imitrex, and given prednisone, neither did anything. I went back to the doctor and was given Esgic that I almost didn't bother to get filled, but the headache was still too much to deal with. So after I took 1 pill, my headache went away. I could not believe it worked when nothing else helped. I also had blood work and a CT scan, both that came back negative, so I have continued to take Esgic when required whenever I get a really bad headache or migraine."
- KSa...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- May 1, 2018
"For me, it works very well for migraines. I read below where it caused someone else a seizure. First time I've ever heard that before. Perhaps they had a rare allergic reaction or mixed it with something else that was not compatible. This drug has been around a long time. It works very well for me. I used to get migraines before my periods, and it worked great. I would take 1 or 2 pills as needed. Later on, after I was postmenopausal and went on bioidentical hormones (all natural and custom to what my body needs) and between treatments (lasts 3 to 4 months), I might get migraines before I am due for more hormone pellets, and I take the generic for Fioricet, and it works great. Never had any problems. I know of other people who have used it without any issues. So it works well for stress headaches or hormone headaches."
- Emc...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 31, 2016
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I have a constant headache with migraines as well. I use this when my headache gets really bad, and this brings it back to a tolerable level and helps me sleep. I only use this as needed. Average less than 3 a week."
- sno...
- November 18, 2008
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "This is a wonderful drug. It takes the pain away within a few minutes, and even if the migraine doesn't go away altogether, the pain isn't as bad as it would be or could be without some form of medication. Believe me, I've tried them all. I am now on Topamax 50 mg twice a day, Fioricet, and Midrin."
- Doo...
- April 8, 2014
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I love Esgic for headaches. When I feel one coming on, I can take one pill and it will wipe it out before it gets full-blown. I only take it when necessary. A prescription of 30 will last me usually a year, sometimes less, sometimes more. I hate the fact that they are going to take it off the market!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 10, 2017
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "Was given Fioricet at E.R. for tension headache, and I suffer from severe anxiety. I immediately had tachycardia (fast heartbeat) after taking this drug. It got rid of my headache, but it left me miserable with my anxiety. Never taking this again."
- Jul...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 10, 2016
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I was prescribed Fioricet last week for chronic headaches. I have suffered from daily headaches for over 6 years and until recently, have been able to dull them down, though they never fully go away, with high doses of OTC ibuprofen. I've been to the neurologist and was prescribed Imitrex and antidepressants. None worked. I have been taking the Fioricet for a week, and every time I take it, it turns my headache into a borderline migraine. Makes it so much worse, and my feet and ankles have swollen. Now I have varicose veins and broken capillaries in my ankles. I think I may be the 1% that cannot take this drug. It's a shame because I see so many success stories in these comments, I wish I could share in the relief."
- Sue...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 13, 2021
"I have had headaches related to a neck injury/surgery for over 26 years. Like others, I have been on all types of pain meds, including narcotics, anti-inflammatories, seizure meds, and benzos. I was prescribed Fiorcet many years ago, now the generic form. I find that it really helps decrease the headache pain enough so I can function. My headache usually originates at the back of my head, then eventually feels like my head is throbbing. The usual lights and sounds bother me. At least when I use this medication, I get fair relief and avoid any narcotics."
- Byj...
- March 9, 2012
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I'm a migraine sufferer and allergic to the triptans, which are generally prescribed for migraine relief, i.e., Imitrex and its family, so my doctor prescribed Fioricet, and it works great for me. I no longer have to rely on Excedrin and taking six of them to find relief. Two Fioricet, and I'm typically good to go. The Tylenol content doesn't bother me because I was taking a lot more with the Excedrin. I'm also on 100 mg of Topamax twice daily for control, which is all I've ever found to work, and I've been quite the guinea pig there."
- NW4...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 19, 2022
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I've suffered from migraines and tension headaches my whole life. And the only two medications that could give me any relief were ketorolac (Toradol) and Cafergot. But Toradol is really only meant for 5-day spans due to bad side effects, and Cafergot insurance doesn't cover it anymore, and the cash price is insanely expensive. So if it wasn't for Fioricet, it would be hard to deal with no pain control."
- Bay...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 18, 2020
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "My experience with Esgic. WOW! I had a migraine in the hospital. The doctor that was seeing me gave me Esgic, and bam, my migraine was gone. Even till this day, it’s been since June of 2020. Still take them today. My headache was so bad, till my forehead would turn red. Thanks for Esgic."
- MRS...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 20, 2012
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "Recently given this medicine by my neurosurgeon. I am fused in my neck from C-3 to C-7. I get severe headaches in the back of my neck down into my shoulders occasionally or daily if my discs are herniating again (have degenerative disc disease). These help me very much, sometimes it just takes the edge off. Then, with a second dose, I am able to function again. More effective than Oxy and non-drowsy as well. Definitely worth trying."
- Jol...
- May 26, 2010
Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "This medicine was actually given to me by a close friend, who also has repeated headaches that turn into migraines. It was amazing. I took 2 when I had a horrible, pounding headache. Within an hour, the headache was reduced to mild and lifted altogether after about 3 hours. I couldn't believe it. I called my doctor the very next day and asked her to prescribe it for me."
See also:
Learn more about Headache
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- Tylenol Dosage Charts for Infants and Children
- What are the risks of mixing pain medications and alcohol?
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- Acute Headache in Children
- Chronic Post Traumatic Headache
- Chronic Post Traumatic Headache in Children
- Cluster Headache
- Tension Headache
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Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine "I've been getting terrible migraines for almost 20 years now. I currently take Topamax to prevent them. When I was younger, I was prescribed Fioricet for the pain and never thought it worked very well. I switched to Imitrex, which worked miracles, and now take Maxalt Melt, the orally disintegrating tablets, which are also a triptan medication. It is the only type of med to get rid of my migraines. Just tried Fioricet again in a pinch and didn't do anything! Tramadol does not work either."