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Anyone have any side effects from Fioricet?

Anyone have any side effects from Fioricet?
Taking it for the first time..I have really bad headaches and have taken hydrocodone while breastfeeding and they are switching me to fioricet, Just wondering if it will effect me the same way and really, what I should expect. Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Vinnie M.
The woman who said that Fioricet has similar side effects of hydrocodone is COMPLETELY wrong… Fioricet and Vicodin have absolutely NOTHING to do with eachother! Hydrocodone (Vicodin) is an opiate, and fioricet is a barbiturate (similar to a benzodiazepine) paired with acetaminophen used for moderate to severe hedaches and migraines… In other words, Fioricet will not make you feel ‘loopy’ or ‘high’, the way that vicodin might make you feel (depending on the amount you have taken), and fioricet’s side effects will really only cause you slight drowsiness (but probably only within the first days that you take it!)

With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Signs of overdose: not responding to sound or touch, extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, nausea, vomiting, sweating, tiredness, restlessness, shaking, confusion, stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, loss of consciousness
  • Withdrawal: seizures, delusions, restlessness, trouble sleeping, shakiness
  • Serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing, hives, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Serious skin reaction: painful skin rash, blisters, skin itching or peeling

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common side effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of awareness (sedation)
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Feeling “high” (intoxicated)

Other side effects

  • Headache
  • Shaking
  • Feeling agitated
  • Excessive sweating
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fast heart rate
  • Seizures
  • Confusion

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Lightheadedness

shortness of breath

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

blood in the urine or stools

blurred vision

change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine

chills

cough

diarrhea

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

drowsiness

dry mouth

fainting

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

flushed or dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

hives, itching, or skin rash

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

joint or muscle pain

loss of appetite

nausea or vomiting

pinpoint red spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

seizures

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

sweating

swelling of the feet or lower legs

tightness in the chest

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

troubled breathing

unexplained weight loss

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Confusion as to time, place, or person

dark urine

difficult or painful urination

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hallucinations

headache

holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact

increased sweating

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

restlessness

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

sweating

trouble sleeping

unpleasant breath odor

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Relaxed and calm

sleepiness

Incidence not known

Anxiety

bloated

constipation

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

depression

earache

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

false or unusual sense of well-being

full feeling

hearing loss

heartburn

heavy eyelids

high energy

hot spells

hyperventilation

irritability

numbness

pain in the leg

passing gas

sluggishness

stuffy nose

tingling sensation

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hope my answer helped – V. M

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