Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine and Seizures: What Users Say

• KSa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2018

For Headache "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."

• leg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2022

For Headache "I was prescribed these at age 18 for chronic migraine. The only med that takes the severe pain away, stops the nausea, eye pressure. I don't find it addictive, but have been taking it for 30 years. The insurance tried to cut my dosages, refusing to pay, etc. I fought them with my doctor and I appealing and won. Sudden stoppage could cause me to take seizures. No side effects for me."

• Sco...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 27, 2025

For Headache "Since age 16, I’ve suffered frequent tension headaches that quickly become migraines that last days if I don’t treat them at onset with Fioricet. Several other pills, injections, TENS units, therapies, and TMJ surgery have been tried with little to no success. I’m 50 now, and this medicine has given me a life worth living! The only problem is Butalbital causes physical dependence with long-term use. You must slowly taper to avoid withdrawal. It can cause seizures, anxiety, and migraines if you abruptly stop. Phenobarbital has helped as an easier taper substitute. This is the only downside I’ve had with Fioricet because it loses effectiveness every few years, but it returns when you restart it after these occasional 2-month breaks. I hope my experience helps similar users gain more knowledge on how to keep this great product working best for them!"

• laz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2017

Acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine for Headache "Had a seizure for an entire day after not taking this. The situation was a headache, but migraine level, so maybe a migraine. Lights were overpowering, sound was too loud, I couldn’t focus on simply existing. So a hospitalist prescribed me this. After, I had the first seizure of my life, it lasted about half a day. My mother, luckily, was around the house and noticed something was off, but it was hours into seizing that she realized what was happening. I awoke in the hospital restrained to the bed and no idea how I got there. If you take multiple medicines, stay away from Fioricet. Now at every hospital visit, I’m put safely with towels around the bed and have no freedom to even walk. All because of this one experience. Beware of Fioric."