Do you sometimes get unbearable headaches? Tension headaches, especially those that come with stress, are very annoying, right? So today we are going to talk about a special medicine that the doctor prescribes for you at times like these. This contains two ingredients called Butalbital and Acetaminophen. Let's take a look at this medicine, the things to be careful about while using it, and everything else in a simple way.
What are Butalbital and Acetaminophen?
Simply put, this is a painkiller. But not like a regular painkiller. It has two main ingredients.
1. Acetaminophen: This is the same Paracetamol you know so well. It works by reducing pain.
2. Butalbital: This belongs to a class of drugs called barbiturates. It works by relaxing you, which means it calms your muscles and mind.
When these two are combined, they are especially helpful in controlling tension headaches. But remember, this is not a medicine to prevent headaches. It is also not usually used for migraines. It is only given as a treatment for existing headaches.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you use this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor this information, as it is very important for your safety.
- If you are a regular drinker .
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have a condition called porphyria .
- If you suffer from a substance use disorder.
- If you are allergic to Butalbital, Acetaminophen, or any other medicine, food, or dye contained in this medicine.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
It is very important for your own health to talk to your doctor about these things without hiding them.
How exactly do you use this?
Follow these instructions when using this medicine.
- Take this pill/capsule with a glass of water.
- Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Never take more than the prescribed dose.
- If you feel like you have an upset stomach, take the medicine with some food. Or you can take it without food.
- If you are over 65 years of age , the effects of this medicine may be a little stronger. Therefore, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose for you.
- Although this can be prescribed to children over the age of 12 in some special cases, special care should be taken with it.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is an emergency.
Take a missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
This is a very important part. If you take this medicine, it may cause adverse reactions, including the following.
| Substance / drug type | What to know |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Do not take alcohol with this medication for any reason. It can be very dangerous and can cause excessive drowsiness and difficulty breathing. |
| Other medicines containing acetaminophen/paracetamol | Many medicines used for fever and colds contain paracetamol. Taking these together can cause serious liver damage. |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | May increase drowsiness. |
| Medication for depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses | Side effects may increase. |
| Other painkillers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants | Excessive drowsiness and dizziness may occur. |
| Types of hormones, including birth control pills | Birth control pills may be less effective . |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | The risk of bleeding may vary. |
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
Things to keep in mind when using the medicine
Tolerance and discontinuation
When you take this medicine for a long time, you may feel that the dose that worked before is no longer enough. We call this 'tolerance'. This is normal, it does not mean that you are addicted to the medicine. You are taking this medicine because you are in pain. So don't be afraid of this, but tell your doctor about it.
Also, don't stop taking the medication suddenly. Doing so may cause your body to react more severely. If your doctor wants you to stop taking the medication, he or she will gradually reduce the dosage.
Drowsiness and alcohol
This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy . So do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. If you are an elderly person, be careful when getting up suddenly from a sitting position.
Very important warning: Since this medicine contains Acetaminophen, do not take any other medicine containing Paracetamol (e.g. Panadol, Calpol) at the same time. Doing so can cause serious liver damage. Read the label carefully before taking the medicine. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Decreased activity of the central nervous system (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, extreme dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness. |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| If these symptoms persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Dizziness | Drowsiness |
| Nausea | Stomach pain or vomiting |
How to store and dispose of medicine safely?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Since this is a drug that can be abused, keep it in a safe place to protect it from theft. Never share this medicine with anyone else. Doing so is against the law and is very dangerous.
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius).
It is important to properly dispose of expired or unwanted medications. You can check with your local pharmacy or police department to see if they have a place to take these medications. If not, mix the medications with something like coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put them in a tightly sealed bag, and throw them in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Do not take this with alcohol or other medications containing paracetamol (Acetaminophen) for any reason.
- Avoid driving as you may feel drowsy after taking the medicine.
- If you take more than the prescribed dose, immediately go to the National Poisons Information Center or the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න