Generic Name: Butalbital (byoo-TAL-bi-tal)
Typical Brand Names: Esgic Plus
What Is It Used For?
Butalbital is used as a pain reliever and relaxant. It is also
used to treat tension headaches. Butalbital may become habit-forming
(causing mental or physical dependence) when it is used for a
long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal
side effects when you stop taking the medicine.
In patients who get headaches, the first symptom of withdrawal
may be new (rebound) headaches. It also contains caffeine. Caffeine
may help to relieve headaches. Butalbital and aspirin combination
is sometimes also used for other kinds of headaches or other kinds
of pain, as determined by your doctor. It is also used for many
other purposes other than those listed in medication guides.
How Is It Used?
Take this medicine with food or a full glass (8 ounces) of water
to lessen stomach irritation. Do not take this medicine if it
has a strong vinegar-like odor. This odor means the aspirin in
it is breaking down. If you have any questions about this, check
with your health care professional.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
Serious side effects from butalbital may include Bluish discoloration
or flushing or redness of skin; coughing, shortness of breath,
troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing; difficulty
in swallowing; dizziness or feeling faint (severe); hive-like
swellings (large) on eyelids, face, lips, or tongue; skin rash,
itching, or hives; stuffy nose (occurring together with other
effects listed in this section).
Less serious side effects like: bleeding or crusting sores on
lips; chest pain; fever with or without chills; red, thickened,
or scaly skin; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth (painful);
sore throat (unexplained); tenderness, burning, or peeling of
skin are more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Is It Safe?
The butalbital adds to the effects of alcohol. Also, stomach problems
may be more likely to occur if you drink alcoholic beverages while
you are taking aspirin. Therefore, do not drink alcoholic beverages,
and check with your doctor before taking any of the medicines
listed above, while you are using this medicine.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with butalbital.
Caffeine (present in some butalbital and aspirin combinations)
interferes with the results of certain tests that use dipyridamole
to help show how well blood is flowing to your heart. Caffeine
should not be taken for 8 to 12 hours before the test. The results
of some other tests may also be affected by butalbital and aspirin
combinations. Talk to your doctor before taking any other prescription
or over-the-counter medicines with butalbital.
What If I Miss A Dose?
If you have missed any dose, use it as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose (within
2 hours.), skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed.
Do not use a double dose of this medication. And try to keep your
doses at least 4 hours apart
How Should It Be Stored?
Butalbital should be kept at room temperature (between 15º-30º
C (59º-86º F)) away from moisture and heat. Keep out
of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot
open. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Anything Else I Should Know?
People who get a lot of headaches may need to take a different
medicine to help prevent headaches. It is important that you follow
your doctor's directions about taking the other medicine, even
if your headaches continue to occur. Headache-preventing medicines
may take several weeks to start working. Even after they do start
working, your headaches may not go away completely.
However, your headaches should occur less often, and they should
be less severe and easier to relieve than before. This will reduce
the amount of headache relievers that you need. If you do not
notice any improvement after several weeks of headache-preventing
treatment, check with your doctor.
NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or
effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before
taking the product.
