What is the Best Migraine Medication You Have Tried?

What is the best migraine medication you have tried, and why is it the best?
I’ve had migraines off and on for years, due to a car accident. The last 2 years, the migraines have cropped up more often and my doctor will prescribe a migraine med for me to have on hand. The problem is, she says that they are all very similar.

Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen

So, the question for yahoo users is, in your personal migraine experiences, what prescription migraine medication worked best, and were there side effects, etc?

Thanks!

Best answer:

Some commonly prescribed migraine medications include:

  1. Triptans: Triptans are a class of medications specifically designed to relieve migraine symptoms. They work by narrowing blood vessels in the brain and blocking pain pathways. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and eletriptan (Relpax).
  2. Ergotamines: Ergotamine medications, such as ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine (DHE), are older medications that can be effective for treating migraines, particularly when taken early in the attack. They work by constricting blood vessels in the brain.
  3. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors: CGRP inhibitors are a newer class of medications that target the CGRP molecule, which is involved in migraine attacks. These drugs include erenumab (Aimovig), fremanezumab (Ajovy), and galcanezumab (Emgality).
  4. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin can be effective for mild to moderate migraines, especially when taken early in the attack.
  5. Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used alone or in combination with other medications for mild migraines.
  6. Preventive Medications: In addition to acute treatments for migraine attacks, some individuals may benefit from preventive medications to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. These may include beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or CGRP inhibitors.
  7. Anti-nausea Medications: Medications such as metoclopramide or prochlorperazine may be prescribed to help relieve nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.

Answer by IndyMom
I have had migraines for 30 years. None are the best. The question is in finding the best one for you. You are the only one who can determine that. Ask the Doc. to prescribe the migraine abortive medications one at a time until you find the one that works best for you.

I personally use Imitrex. I have also tried Maxalt, Zomig and all of the others that I don’t remember the names of. Imitrex has been the best for me.

The key with any of these is to take them immediately, as soon as you realize that the pain is coming or expect that it is heading to migraine level. If you wait until you have a full blown migraine, no medication will work.

Keep a daily headache diary when you try the new meds. At the end of a few days, or weeks depending on how often you get them, you will have the details for the Doctor. Help them to help you.

Best of luck.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

How Many Pain Relief Pills Does it Take to Kill You?

How many pain relief pills does it take to kill you?
I don’t to take too many pain relief pills so i was wondering about how many pain relief pills do you have to take to kill yourself.
AND NO I’M NOT SUICIDAL. I am just scared that i might accidentally take too much.

Best answer:

It’s crucial to approach this question with care. Overdosing on pain relief pills can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. The number of pills required to cause death varies greatly depending on several factors, including the type of medication, the individual’s tolerance, weight, age, overall health, and whether they have any pre-existing medical conditions.

For example, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can cause severe liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, or kidney failure in high doses. In extreme cases, overdose can lead to death.

Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, are even more potent and carry a higher risk of overdose and death, particularly when misused or combined with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines.

There’s no specific number of pills that guarantees death, as it depends on various factors. However, intentionally taking excessive amounts of pain relief medication is a dangerous and potentially lethal act. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or experiencing a medical emergency due to medication overdose, immediate medical attention is crucial. Contact emergency services or seek help from a healthcare professional or poison control center.

Answer by Qwandra B
It depends what pain relief pills your taking well I think about 4-8 I think

What do you think? Answer below!

Fioricet Drug Interaction

Fioricet contains Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine.  A lot of other pain relievers contain Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and caffeine too.

I can only list some common over the counter medicines that contain Acetaminophen:  Actifed, Alka-Seltzer, Plus Liquid Gels, Anacin, Cepacol, Contac, Coricidin, Dayquil, Dimetapp, Dristan, Excedrin, Feverall …

Some prescriptions that contain acetaminophen are: Ultrace, Fioricet, Oxycodone, Endocet, Tylox …

You also must know what drugs contain Butalbital:  Bupap, Phrenilin, Tencon, Cephadyn; Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic-Plus; Fioricet with Codeine, Floricet with Codeine, Phrenilin with Caffeine and Codeine; Axotal; Fiorinal, Butalbital Compound, Farbital, Idenal; Fiorinal with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine III, Ascomp with Codeine, Fiortal with Codeine.

When you take more than one pain killer, you must read very carefully about their components.  Never exceed the max dosage of acetaminophen and butalbital of all the medicines you are taking.   Normally All the packages sent to you have the drug introduction and doctor names and phone number.  Read the drug introduction very carefully and never share the medicines with your sisters, your brothers,  your parents, or any friends. Always do not let the children touch the medicines.

Please donot drink any alcohol (Ethanol) with your Fioricet Because Ethanol together with acetaminophen will cause serious side effects that affect your liver, and Ethanol together with Butalbital will cause side effects of dizziness, drowsiness.

Please don’t take herb while you are taking Fioricet. Even Vitamins will have some interaction with Fioricet.

Be honest to place the current medicines you are taking in the health questionnaire  form. The doctor will check whether you are OK to take Fioricet.  If they think your current drugs or herbs have some interaction with Fioricet, they will phone you to discuss the situation with you. So please always leave us the correct phone number. We will never call you to promote you anything.

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) and the medicines listed below.

    • Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
    • Advil (ibuprofen)
    • Ambien (zolpidem)
    • aspirin
    • Ativan (lorazepam)
    • baclofen
    • caffeine
    • clonazepam
    • codeine
    • Cymbalta (duloxetine)
    • Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine)
    • Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
    • gabapentin
    • hydrocodone
    • ibuprofen
    • ibuprofen
    • Imitrex (sumatriptan)
    • Klonopin (clonazepam)
    • levothyroxine
    • Lexapro (escitalopram)
    • lisinopril
    • Lyrica (pregabalin)
    • meloxicam
    • naproxen
    • Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
    • omeprazole
    • oxycodone
    • Percocet (acetaminophen / oxycodone)
    • prednisone
    • Suboxone (buprenorphine / naloxone)
    • Topamax (topiramate)
    • tramadol
    • trazodone
    • Tylenol (acetaminophen)
    • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
    • Xanax (alprazolam)
    • Zofran (ondansetron)

Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) disease interactions

There are 25 disease interactions with Fioricet (acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine) which include:

    • alcoholism
    • liver disease
    • acute alcohol intoxication
    • drug dependence
    • liver disease
    • porphyria
    • rash
    • respiratory depression
    • cardiac disease
    • hypertension
    • liver disease
    • PUD
    • PKU
    • adrenal insufficiency
    • depression
    • hematologic toxicity
    • osteomalacia
    • paradoxical reactions
    • cardiotoxicity
    • bipolar disorders
    • psychiatric disorders
    • psychotic disorders
    • renal dysfunction
    • seizure disorders
    • GERD

Other Prescription Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Ethanol
    • Tobacco

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

    • Cabbage
    • Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Alcohol abuse, history of or
  • Drug dependence, or history of or
  • Weakened physical condition—Use with caution. May increase risk for more serious side effects.
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
  • Porphyria (an enzyme problem)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
  • Stomach problems—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

How to treat Fioricet overdose

The treatment of Fioricet overdose is complicated by the presence of two substances which are highly toxic when taken in excessive amounts. Fioricet overdoses generally result in toxic amounts of both acetaminophen and butalbital being consumed at once, requiring both overdoses to be treated at once.

Fioricet overdose by anyone and/or any consumption by persons to whom it is not prescribed (particularly children) is always a medical emergency and medical attention must be sought immediately if an overdose or consumption by other persons is suspected.fioricet

Fioricet overdose is often fatal and symptoms may not present for hours following consumption, once initial overdose symptoms present they can progress rapidly and there may not be time to reach appropriate medical care after this point.

Acetaminophen over-exerts its toxicity through the production of a toxic metabolite which produces liver damage in doses of 3,000mg or more per day and acute liver failure in doses above that. The specific antidote to acetaminophen overdose is N-acetyl-cysteine. Kidney failure and stomach bleeding may also occur.

Butalbital overdoses exerts its toxicity through excessive sedation resulting in respiratory depression and ultimately death via hypoxia. Nonlethal overdoses may also result in coma and death. There is no specific antidote to butalbital overdose and treatment is supportive, common treatment regimens generally include the administration of intravenous administration of saline, naloxone, thiamine, glucose, NaHCO3 to alkalize the urine to increase rate of excretion, and activated charcoal via nasogastric tube. It is not uncommon for doctor to recommend observation of the patient in the Emergency Department for a number of hours or admission to the hospital for several days of observation if symptoms are severe and to counsel the patient on drug abuse and/or refer them for psychiatric evaluation.

What is the max dosage of acetaminophen ?

Acetaminophen, which is also known as paracetamol, is a commonly used OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer (antipyretic). People use it for headaches, and minor aches and pain. Liver injury from acetaminophen overdose remains a serious public health problem despite ongoing regulatory and educational efforts over the past several years to improve the safe use of medicines that contain acetaminophen.

Fioricet contains acetaminophen 325 mg per tablet. The max dosage of an adult for acetaminophen goes down from 4000mg to 3000mg per day (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231915.php). So only acetaminophen, you should not take more than eight tablet fioricet per day. IF you take more than eight fioricet tablet per day, you will hurt your liver.

acetaminophen

From tylenol website, they lowered the maximum daily dose for single-ingredient Extra Strength TYLENOL® (acetaminophen) products sold in the U.S. from 8 pills per day (4,000 mg) to 6 pills per day (3,000 mg). The dosing interval has also changed from 2 pills every 4 – 6 hours to 2 pills every 6 hours.

What is Fioricet and What is Fioricet Side Effects ?

Fioricet and Esgic are brand names of a combination of butalbital (a barbiturate), acetaminophen and caffeine which is indicated for the treatment of tension headaches, muscle contraction headaches and post-dural puncture headaches. Although not indicated, they are commonly used to treat migraines and other pain related ailments.

Fioricet® (Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets USP) is supplied in tablet form for oral administration.

Each tablet contains the following active ingredients:
butalbital USP . . . . . . . . . . . .50 mg
acetaminophen USP . . . . . . 325 mg
caffeine USP . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 mg

Inactive Ingredients: crospovidone, FD&C Blue #1, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, pregelatinized starch, and stearic acid.

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Before taking Fioricet

Do not use Fioricet if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

You should not use Fioricet if you are allergic to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine, if you have porphyria, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.

To make sure Fioricet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
  • kidney disease;
  • asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
  • stomach ulcer or bleeding;
  • a history of skin rash caused by any medication;
  • a history of mental illness or suicidal thoughts; or
  • if you use medicine to prevent blood clots.

It is not known whether Fioricet will harm an unborn baby. If you use butalbital while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for sever

How should I take Fioricet?

Take Fioricet exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take more of this medication than recommended. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Butalbital may be habit-forming. Never share Fioricet with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away Fioricet is against the law.

Take Fioricet with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Store Fioricet at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Butalbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Fioricet dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Fioricet for Headache:

Acetaminophen 300 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine 40 mg:
1 or 2 capsule(s) orally every 4 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 6 doses.

Acetaminophen 325 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine 40 mg:
1 or 2 tablet(s), capsule(s), or tablespoonful(s) orally every 4 hours.
Maximum daily dose: 6 doses

Acetaminophen 500 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine 40 mg:
1 tablet or capsule orally every 4 hours.
Maximum daily dose: 6 doses

Acetaminophen 750 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine 40 mg:
1 tablet orally every 4 hours.
Maximum daily dose: 5 tablets

Usual Pediatric Dose of Fioricet for Headache:

12 years and older:
Acetaminophen 300 mg, butalbital 50 mg, and caffeine 40 mg:
1 or 2 capsule(s) orally every 4 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 6 doses.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of Fioricet can be fatal.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Overdose symptoms may also include insomnia, restlessness, tremor, diarrhea, increased shallow breathing, uneven heartbeats, seizure (convulsions), or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Fioricet?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

While you are taking this medication, avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice.

Fioricet side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Fioricet: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • confusion, seizure (convulsions);
  • shortness of breath;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
  • nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Fioricet side effects may include:

  • drowsiness, dizziness;
  • feeling anxious or restless;
  • drunk feeling; or
  • sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Fioricet?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking Fioricet with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Fioricet only for the indication prescribed.

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

What is Fioricet?

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine.

Each tablet contains the following active ingredients:
butalbital USP . . . . . . . . . . . .50 mg
acetaminophen USP . . . . . . 325 mg
caffeine USP . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 mg

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Fioricet is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.