Fiorinal and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• hea...
• December 14, 2016

For Migraine "I've had severe cluster headaches with occasional dreadful migraines since I was in my 20s -- 50 years ago. It was very difficult to get approval for this medication, and I was always trying to juggle it with aspirin and stretch it out. Seems like the situation here, at least, has greatly improved, and my current primary doctor prescribes it for me. I only take Fiorinal when I feel a bad headache coming on, and it works. (It does occasionally put me to sleep for about 15 minutes.) The variety with codeine is too strong for me. I can't take triptans because of cardiovascular issues. I can't emphasize strongly enough how beneficial this medication has been in my life. Moreover, aspirin never helped my headaches."

• she...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2016

For Migraine "I have taken Fiorinal w/codeine for over 30 years for migraine, tension headaches, and neck pain. If I take it when the pain begins, it will stop it within 30 minutes, and I rarely need a second dose. I do not feel any other effects from it. No sleepiness, dizziness, 'high' feeling; nothing at all except relief from pain. I average about 40 to 60 pills a year and have never used more. Now my Kaiser physician says he cannot prescribe it for me because some government fools have decided it stays in the body for too long. Isn't that a good thing? Nothing else helps, so I just suffer."

• Lyn...
• March 1, 2014

For Migraine "Living with a brain tumor and suffering for years with blinding migraines. It is the single only thing that rids my migraines! I only rely on it when the pain is so intense I am bedridden. I use about 80 pills per year. It usually always works if Excedrin does not. No nausea or vomiting like with other expensive migraine so-called wonder medicines! No bad drowsiness either! It is a godsend for my pain! I have found nothing else comparable."

• kis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2015

For Headache "I've taken Fiorinal for about a year; initially, it was great. One pill would totally knock out a headache. A little drowsy for about 30 minutes, and I was good to go. Started having to increase the number of times I take it about 4 months ago, started having abnormal vaginal bleeding; my doctor thinks it's the aspirin and the fact that I've had to take more. Aspirin is a blood thinner. I switched to Fioricet, the same drug, but replaces the aspirin with Tylenol. Back to normal now. Try Fioricet if Fiorinal doesn't work for you."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 10, 2024

For Migraine "For over 20 years, Fiorinal in the capsule form has been very effective in stopping my migraines, as long as I take a capsule at the beginning onset of the migraine and not wait until it is a full-blown one. Taking Fiorinal doesn't cause me drowsiness or make me feel groggy. I am able to function normally soon after I take one capsule. Rarely does my migraine return after the medication has worn off. I find that Fiorinal works quickly in stopping my migraines, within 15 to 30 minutes after I have taken a capsule. I find that it is not as quick acting for me in tablet form."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 10, 2024

For Migraine "For over 20 years, Fiorinal in the capsule form has been very effective in stopping my migraines, as long as I take a capsule at the beginning onset of the migraine and not wait until it is a full-blown one. Taking Fiorinal doesn't cause me drowsiness or make me feel groggy. I am able to function normally soon after I take one capsule. Rarely does my migraine return after the medication has worn off. I find that Fiorinal works quickly in stopping my migraines, within 15 to 30 minutes after I have taken a capsule. I find that it is not as quick acting for me in tablet form."