Mosby's Drug Consult notes that Fioricet is a brand-name prescription drug manufactured by the company, Watson Pharmaceuticals, that was approved in 1984 by the FDA to treat tension and muscle contraction headaches (Reference 1). Fioricet tablets contain 50 mg of butalbital, 325 mg of acetaminophen and 40 mg caffeine, while the capsules include the addition of 30 mg of codeine, as cited on DailyMed (Reference 2). In addition to these four active ingredients, Fioricet capsules also contain inactive ingredients.
Butalbital
Butalbital is a drug classified as a barbiturate, which is considered fairly short acting in regards to pain. It acts to relax muscle contractions involved in tension headaches, although it is also prescribed for migraine-type headaches. Butalbital has addictive properties, both physically and psychologically, as noted on Drugs.com (Reference 3).
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a common drug within many over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals. It is classified as both a pain reducer-analgesic and a fever reducer-antipyretic, according to Rxlist.com (Reference 4). Acetaminophen works by lowering the body's temperature settings and altering how areas of the brain register pain, which is effective for tension headaches.
Codeine Phosphate
Like acetaminophen, codeine works as a pain killer and fever reducer, as it too has the ability to alter how the central nervous system senses pain and controls internal temperature. However, codeine is classified as a narcotic and can be habit forming, as cited in the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine (Reference 5).
Caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulator and a diuretic. It acts to relax blood vessels causing vasodilation, which improves blood flow, as noted by Rxlist. Caffeine's effect on blood vessels might help explain why Fioricet is widely used for migraine-type headaches.
Lubricants and Disintegrants
Magnesium stearate is an inactive ingredient within Fioricet capsules and functions as a lubricating agent. Lubricants keep the other ingredients from sticking to the manufacturing equipment during production and the inside of the capsules post-production, according to the Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Colloidal silicon dioxide acts as a lubricator and water absorber, which helps to disperse the active ingredients once the capsules burst. Pre-gelatinized starch acts as a binder and as a disintegrant, because it expands and dissolves when the capsules burst, which helps with intestinal absorption.
Capsule Ingredients
According to DailyMed, Fioricet capsule shells contain gelatin, red iron oxide, D&C Red #33, FD&C Blue #1 and titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is used to provide brightness and shine to the capsule.
Capsule Printing Ingredients
Fioricet capsules are printed with black and blue ink, which contains FD&C Blue #1 aluminum lake, D&C Red #7 calcium lake and black iron oxide.
References
- "Mosby's Drug Consult"; C.V. Mosby; 2004
- DailyMed: Fioricet with Codeine
- Drugs.com: Fioricet Tablets
- RxList.com: Fioricet
- "Dictionary of Pharmaceutical Medicine"; G. Nahler et al; 2009
