What is Butalbital APAP Caffeine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take this medication as directed. Do not use more medicine, take it more often, or take it for longer than instructed. 

Take doses at the start of a headache.

Doses can be taken with or without food.

Swallow tablets and capsules whole with a drink of water.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a calibrated oral syringe or medicine cup provided with the medicine or by a pharmacist.

Store butalbital-APAP-caffeine at room temperature in the original light-resistant container.

Ask the prescriber how to handle missed doses.

If a missed dose is taken, do not take the next dose until four hours later.

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have:

• Porphyria

• Known allergies to acetaminophen, butalbital, or caffeine

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Keep all appointments with the prescriber.

This medicine is habit-forming. Misuse can cause overdose and death.

• Only use this medicine for a short time to treat the pain from a tension headache.

• Call the prescriber if the medicine is not working.

Before starting butalbital-APAP-caffeine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have:

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems

• Acute abdominal conditions

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

Butalbital-APAP-caffeine can cause serious problems, including liver damage or severe skin reactions.

This medicine contains acetaminophen, a drug that can be toxic or fatal when too much is taken. 

• Do not use more than your prescribed dose.

• Always take doses four hours apart.

• Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen (or APAP), or ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

• Do not take more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Keep all medicine in a tightly closed, childproof container out of the reach of children.

To avoid possible drug interactions, tell the prescriber about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements regularly used, particularly:

• Drugs that make you sleepy, such as other barbiturates, narcotic pain medications, sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, anesthetics, or alcohol

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver, and alcohol can increase this risk.

Tell other healthcare providers you are taking butalbital-APAP-caffeine before they prescribe new medications.