Fiorinal Addiction and Abuse

Fiorinal is a medication containing a combination of aspirin, caffeine and butalbital, and it is used to treat tension headaches. Some versions of Fiorinal contain codeine as well.

Tension headaches normally occur when a person is severely stressed. They are usually characterized by mild to moderate pains in the head that give a feeling of pressure or tightness in the forehead, sides and back of the head.

Each drug within Fiorinal serves a purpose in the treatment:

• Aspirin works to reduce the pain from a headache and it is an anti-inflammatory and fever reducer.
• Caffeine improves blood flow and works to increase the effects of aspirin.
• Butalbital is a barbiturate, and it works as a sedative to help patients relax and reduces anxiety.

Many doctors will ask if a patient has a history of substance abuse because codeine and butalbital are highly addictive.

Fiorinal is usually taken by mouth every 4 hours. Most doctors recommend taking Fiorinal with food in order to reduce stomach problems. The medication works best when the patient takes it as soon as a headache occurs. Fiorinal may not be as effective if someone waits until a headache fully develops.

Fiorinal should only be taken as prescribed. One must always tell their doctor about past medical issues in order to avoid any adverse effects. The aspirin present in Fiorinal can cause fatal bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract.

Do not stop taking Fiorinal suddenly as it may increase the chances of withdrawal symptoms. If the medication does not seem to work as well when tension headaches occur, it is best to notify a doctor instead of stopping the medication abruptly. Suddenly stopping the use of Fiorinal can increase the chances of withdrawal symptoms.

Butalbital and codeine can be addictive. People often experience a relaxed feeling caused by opioids and barbiturates. Both drugs have a high risk of substance abuse.  Over time, a person will begin developing a tolerance to the drug, which leads people to take Fiorinal more frequently and in higher doses in order to receive the same effects. The misuse and abuse of a medication often leads to substance use disorder.

If Fiorinal is taken for a longer period than prescribed, the risk of withdrawal symptoms increases greatly. Signs of Fiorinal withdrawal can include:

• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Restlessness
• Mental confusion

If a person who is taking Fiorinal begins to display an irritable attitude when the drug is not accessible, constantly seeks this drug when it is not needed, or if they display behavioral issues that merit concern, this may mean that an addiction is developing.

It is important to never stop using Fiorinal abruptly. Always discuss a plan of withdrawal with a doctor in order to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

If you or a loved are experiencing addiction, symptoms of withdrawal or think you may have a substance use disorder after taking Fiorinal, a substance-free life is possible. When you are ready to start the road to recovery, call us at our 24/7 toll-free hotline 855-548-9825 to speak to one of our representatives at The Recovery Village.