Butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine - byoo-TAL-bi-tal, a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen, KAF-een and KOE-deen combination is a pain reliever and relaxant. It is using to treat tension headaches. Butalbital belongs to the group of medication called barbiturates - bar-BI-tyoo-rates . Barbiturates act in the central nervous system - CNS to produce their effects.
Codeine is a narcotic analgesic - nar-KOT-ik an-al-JEE-zik that acts in the CNS to relieve pain. Many of its side effects are also causing by actions in the CNS.
When you take butalbital or codeine for a long time, your body may get using to it so that larger amounts are needed to produce the same effects. This is called tolerance to the drug. Always butalbital and codeine may become habit-forming - causing mental or physical dependence when it is using for a long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the drug. In diseaseds who get headaches, the first symptom of withdrawal may be new - rebound headaches.
Caffeine may help to relieve headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is using for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal - rebound headaches when you stop taking it.
Butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine combination may also be using for other kinds of headaches or other kinds of pain as determined by your family doctor.
Butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine combination is available only with your family doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
† Not commercially available in Canada.