Fiorinal

Generic name:aspirin, butalbital, and caffeine [ AS-pir-in, bue-TAL-bi-tal, KAF-een ]
Drug class:Analgesic combinations

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Oct 3, 2021.

What is Fiorinal?

Fiorinal contains a combination of aspirin, butalbital, and caffeine. Aspirin is a pain reliever, as well as an anti-inflammatory and a fever reducer. Butalbital is a barbiturate. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Fiorinal is used to treat tension headaches. This medicine is not for treating headaches that come and go.

Fiorinal capsules are supplied in a two tone green capsule. Each half of capsule is imprinted with “FIORINAL 955” in red.

Warnings

You should not use Fiorinal if you have a stomach ulcer, severe liver disease, porphyria, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or if you are allergic to any NSAID.

Aspirin may cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal.

Stop using Fiorinal and call your doctor at once if you have: black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever.

Butalbital may be habit-forming. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Fiorinal if you are allergic to aspirin, butalbital, or caffeine, or if you have:

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, low platelets;

• severe vitamin K deficiency;