Generic name: Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets [ byoo-TAL-bi-tal, a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen, & KAF-een ]
Brand names: Dolgic Plus, Fioricet
Drug class: Analgesic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 16, 2023.

Uses of Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets:

• It is used to treat tension headaches.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets?

• If you have an allergy to butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, or any other part of this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets).
• If you are allergic to this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets); any part of this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have porphyria.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) affects you.
• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• If you have been taking this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) for a long time or at high doses, it may not work as well and you may need higher doses to get the same effect. This is known as tolerance. Call your doctor if this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) stops working well. Do not take more than ordered.
• Do not take this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• If you have been taking this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
• Allergic reactions have happened with this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets). Rarely, some reactions can be very bad or life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets).
• Avoid alcohol or other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Avoid taking other products that have acetaminophen in them. Check labels closely. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver problems.
• Follow the directions exactly. Do not take more acetaminophen in a day than directed. If you do not know how much acetaminophen you can take in a day, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Some people may take up to 4,000 mg (milligrams) in a day if told to do so by the doctor. Some people (like people with liver problems and children) should take less acetaminophen. Call your doctor right away if you have taken too much acetaminophen in a day, even if you feel well.
• Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
• Limit your use of caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate. Use with this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) may cause nervousness, shakiness, and a fast heartbeat.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets) best taken?

Use this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets) is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Shortness of breath.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Slurred speech, stumbling, or feeling confused, very sleepy or dizzy, or drunk.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Stomach pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules and Tablets?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsules and tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer