Esgic Plus - Acetaminophen barbituate pain reliever

Esgic Plus®

Generic Name: acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine (oral)
Brand Names: Esgic, Esgic-Plus, Fioricet

Drug Uses
Esgic Plus is a pain reliever and a relaxant. Use this medicine to treat tension headaches.

How Taken
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Adults should take one or 2 capsules or tablets every four hours as needed. If your medicine contains 325 or 500 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen in each capsule or tablet, you should not take more than six capsules or tablets a day.

Warnings/Precautions
If the medicine stops working as well as it did when you first started using it, this may mean that you are in danger of becoming dependent on the medicine. Do not try to get better pain relief by increasing the dose. If you are having headaches more often than you did before you started taking this medicine ;this is especially important if a new headache occurs within 1 day after you took your last dose of this medicine, headaches begin to occur every day, or a headache continues for several days in a row. This may mean that you are dependent on the medicine. Continuing to take this medicine will cause even more headaches later on . Your doctor can give you advice on how to relieve the headaches.

Missed Dose
If your doctor has ordered you to take this medicine according to a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double dose.

Possible Side Effects
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur, especially if several of them occur together: bleeding or crusting sores on lips; chest pain; fever with or without chills; hive-like swellings (large) on eyelids, face, lips, and/or tongue; muscle cramps or pain; red, thickened, or scaly skin; shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing; skin rash, itching, or hives; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth (painful); sore throat; confusion (mild); mental depression; unusual excitement (mild)

Storage
Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.

Overdose
If you think you or anyone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention. Taking an overdose of this medicine or taking alcohol or CNS depressants with this medicine may lead to unconsciousness or possibly death.

More Information
This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert and clearheaded.

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Butalbital is in a class of drugs called barbiturates that slow down your central nervous system (brain and nerve impulses) causing relaxation.

Caffeine is believed to constrict dilated blood vessels that may contribute to tension headaches.

Together, acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine are used to relieve complex tension (muscle contraction) headaches although precisely how it works is unknown.

Acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Butalbital will cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

Avoid sleeping pills, antihistamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers except under the supervision of your doctor. These may also make you drowsy.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol taken during therapy with acetaminophen and butalbital can be very damaging to your liver and can increase drowsiness and dizziness.

Check the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. You should not exceed 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.

Never take more acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

This medication is habit forming and should only be used under close supervision. Take this drug only for as long as it is prescribed , in the amounts it is prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.

Do not take acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine without first talking to your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have had alcoholic liver disease. You may not be able to take acetaminophen and butalbital, or you may require a lower dose.

Do not take acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine if you have porphyria.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

kidney disease, or
liver disease.

You may not be able to take acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

This drug combination is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that its effects on an unborn baby are not known. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. This drug combination passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine has not been approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age.

Take acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Never take more acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.