Fioricet and Esgic are brand name drugs made from a combination of acetaminophen (325 mg), butalbital (a barbiturate, 50 mg), and caffeine (40 mg). They are indicated for the treatment of tension headaches and muscle contraction headaches. Although not indicated, they are commonly used to treat migraines and other pain related ailments. Note that Fioricet (and some other pain medications) are implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use (see NYT citaion below)
wikipedia
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Based on what is in this drug, i would NOT take it.
Acetamenaphen, which is basically Tylenol is fine to take, but the other two drugs, butalbital and caffeine i would avoid during pregnancy.
Butalbil is a Pregnancy Category D, meaning
Pregnancy Category D There is positive evidence of human foetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
I wouldnt want a category D drug in my system when pregnant even if it was in small amounts and part of some other drug.
Caffeine is also not good during pregnancy.
Acetamenaphen is a Category A, which is Great and Safe. So, just take some tylenol, even some extra strenght tylenol on an as needed basis. Thats what i do when i have a headache and i am preggers too.
Always, always check pregnancy categories of your drugs, you can do it on wikipedia. Even if doctors prescribe it, you should know the impacts yourself, and decide for yourself what is right for your body.
Call Motherisk, discuss the risks and any other treatments that may be safer:
You can call from anywhere in the world if you pay the long distance:
(416) 813-6780 – Motherisk Info Line -Ask about the risk or safety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, chemicals, x-rays, chronic disease and infections during pregnancy and while nursing
* Studies on animals show adverse effect and toxicity on fetus.
* No adequate and well controlled studies done on pregnant women.
* Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
FDA Pregnancy Risk Categories
Place (not click) your mouse cursor over the bold words in the text below to receive description
Indication
* Analgesic and antipyretic for treatment of headache.
Fetal Risk
* Crosses the placenta.
* Inadequate human or animal studies.
* Suggested increase in fetal abnormalities and brain tumors if used prenatally.
* Use late in third trimester is associated with increased risk of respiratory depression.
From John Claude Krusz, MD, PhD, and Teri Robert
About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, M.D.
A.
Dear Dr Villa:
The literature is scanty on this topic; as you know, prescriptions for Fiorinal/Fioricet have decreased by over 90% in the last few years, and many countries have banned these types of products (i.e., Canada, Europe). Butalbital is Pregnancy category C, I believe; acetaminophen can be used during pregnancy. I know of no studies documenting birth defects with butalbital, but this can be looked up on PubMed etc. I don’t of any other studies and do not prescribe butalbital compounds at all.
I hope this has been of some help. You may want to contact Dr. Silberstein at the Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia; he is a great resource of information.
i would just take paracitamol it would be safer in my opinion doctors are not as good with medication as your pharmacy you could ask him before you take them,doctors nearly always have to look up the side effects on medication
all he best with the baby and getting your heaaches sorted
Starting the 2nd trimester (im 28 weeks now) my doctor prescribed them to me to take. I get bad migraines and have all my life and i cant take what i used to take before i became pregnant and tylonel doesnt work for me. my aunt also took them when she was pregnant and has 2 healthy kids. i have had my doctor and another assure me that they are safe- they just will not prescribe them in the 1st trimester for some reason. i dont take them very often and try to let my headaches work themselves out but if i need to i follow the amount safe on the bottle
Fioricet and Esgic are brand name drugs made from a combination of acetaminophen (325 mg), butalbital (a barbiturate, 50 mg), and caffeine (40 mg). They are indicated for the treatment of tension headaches and muscle contraction headaches. Although not indicated, they are commonly used to treat migraines and other pain related ailments. Note that Fioricet (and some other pain medications) are implicated as causing repeat headaches with over-use (see NYT citaion below)
wikipedia
________________________
Based on what is in this drug, i would NOT take it.
Acetamenaphen, which is basically Tylenol is fine to take, but the other two drugs, butalbital and caffeine i would avoid during pregnancy.
Butalbil is a Pregnancy Category D, meaning
Pregnancy Category D There is positive evidence of human foetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
I wouldnt want a category D drug in my system when pregnant even if it was in small amounts and part of some other drug.
Caffeine is also not good during pregnancy.
Acetamenaphen is a Category A, which is Great and Safe. So, just take some tylenol, even some extra strenght tylenol on an as needed basis. Thats what i do when i have a headache and i am preggers too.
Always, always check pregnancy categories of your drugs, you can do it on wikipedia. Even if doctors prescribe it, you should know the impacts yourself, and decide for yourself what is right for your body.
Call Motherisk, discuss the risks and any other treatments that may be safer:
You can call from anywhere in the world if you pay the long distance:
(416) 813-6780 – Motherisk Info Line -Ask about the risk or safety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, chemicals, x-rays, chronic disease and infections during pregnancy and while nursing
———–
http://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=1627&TradeName=Fioricet&TradeId=5113
Generic Name Butalbital and Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
Trade Name Fioricet
Manufacturer
Risk Category
C
* Studies on animals show adverse effect and toxicity on fetus.
* No adequate and well controlled studies done on pregnant women.
* Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
FDA Pregnancy Risk Categories
Place (not click) your mouse cursor over the bold words in the text below to receive description
Indication
* Analgesic and antipyretic for treatment of headache.
Fetal Risk
* Crosses the placenta.
* Inadequate human or animal studies.
* Suggested increase in fetal abnormalities and brain tumors if used prenatally.
* Use late in third trimester is associated with increased risk of respiratory depression.
———
http://headaches.about.com/od/asktheclinicia1/f/060704_3f.htm
Q. Fioricet, butalbital compounds for intractable headaches during pregnancy?
From John Claude Krusz, MD, PhD, and Teri Robert
About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, M.D.
A.
Dear Dr Villa:
The literature is scanty on this topic; as you know, prescriptions for Fiorinal/Fioricet have decreased by over 90% in the last few years, and many countries have banned these types of products (i.e., Canada, Europe). Butalbital is Pregnancy category C, I believe; acetaminophen can be used during pregnancy. I know of no studies documenting birth defects with butalbital, but this can be looked up on PubMed etc. I don’t of any other studies and do not prescribe butalbital compounds at all.
I hope this has been of some help. You may want to contact Dr. Silberstein at the Jefferson Headache Center in Philadelphia; he is a great resource of information.
John Claude Krusz
———
i would just take paracitamol it would be safer in my opinion doctors are not as good with medication as your pharmacy you could ask him before you take them,doctors nearly always have to look up the side effects on medication
all he best with the baby and getting your heaaches sorted
Starting the 2nd trimester (im 28 weeks now) my doctor prescribed them to me to take. I get bad migraines and have all my life and i cant take what i used to take before i became pregnant and tylonel doesnt work for me. my aunt also took them when she was pregnant and has 2 healthy kids. i have had my doctor and another assure me that they are safe- they just will not prescribe them in the 1st trimester for some reason. i dont take them very often and try to let my headaches work themselves out but if i need to i follow the amount safe on the bottle