Fioricet vs. Midrin

• Are Midrin and Fioricet the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Fioricet?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Midrin?
• What is Fioricet?
• What is Midrin?
• What Drugs Interact with Fioricet?
• What Drugs Interact with Midrin?
• How Should Fioricet Be Taken?
• How Should Midrin Be Taken?

Fioricet (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsule) and Midrin (isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen) are combination medications used to treat severe tension headaches.

Midrin is also used to treat migraine headaches.

Fioricet and Midrin are different combinations of medications. Fioricet is a combination of a barbiturate, a non-salicylate analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer), and a central nervous system stimulant, and Midrin is a combination of a pain reliever and fever reducer, a sedative, and a vasoconstrictor.

The brand name Midrin is no longer manufactured, but generic versions may be available.

Common side effects of Fioricet include:

• drowsiness
• lightheadedness
• dizziness, sedation
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain, and
• intoxicated feeling

Common side effects of Midrin include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• mood changes, and
• nausea.

Fioricet (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine capsule) is a combination of a barbiturate, a non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic, and a central nervous system stimulant indicated for the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

Midrin (isometheptene mucate, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen) is a combination of a pain reliever and fever reducer, a sedative, and a vasoconstrictor used to treat migraine headaches or severe tension headaches. The brand name Midrin is no longer manufactured, but generic versions may be available.

Fioricet may interact with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, other narcotic analgesics, alcohol, general anesthetics, tranquilizers such as chlordiazepoxide, sedative-hypnotics, or other CNS depressants.

Midrin or equivalent medications may interact with blood thinners, isoniazid, or antidepressants. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. Read all labels carefully so you don't take too much acetaminophen. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

The dose of Fioricet is one or two capsules every four hours. The total daily dosage of Fioricet should not exceed 6 capsules.

The usual adult dosage of Midrin is two capsules at once, followed by one capsule every hour until relieved, up to 5 capsules within a 12-hour period.