Mixed BiPolar Disorder and Fioricet

Is it wise to take Fioricet if you have been diagnosed with Mixed BiPolar Disorder?

[ILADVOCATE]

I looked it up online and from the fact that it has some form of amphetamine and caffeine in it that could easily trigger mania but the best thing to do is ask the doctor who prescribed it and they could look up and find out and perhaps prescribe another medication in the same class.

[DiamondBlue]

As a bi-polar first known as "manic-dpressive" depending on how old you are, I have taken fioricet for migraines for decades.  It DOES NOT contain an amphetemine of any sort but does contain caffeine (stimulant), butalbital (barbiturate) and acetaminophen. I find getting any drug information from the PDR (physicians desk reference) is much more reliable than getting ANYTHING off the internet as the PDR is not only used in doctor's offices but in courtrooms as well as it is considered a legal document.  All information in the PDR comes directly from the pharmaceutical company who manufactures the drug and is a book written especially for physicians.  I personally would rather get my info from a book written specifically FOR doctors, than one written by one. It is also an excellent idea to discuss this topic with your physician as suggested by "ILADVOCATE". I know this answer is months too late, but I just found this web site and am weaning off fioricet myself after years of use.  It is an effective drug, but I guess I'm just too old or too paranoid after taking it all this time.  Good Luck to You and ILADVOCATE too.

[Jade59]

Good job, dufty, you are absolutely right in this drug does not contain a amphetamine however, there Is a good amount of caffeine in it and can cause one to feel shaky.  I too, have taken this drug for 30yrs and between the barbituate and caffeine, it can FEEL like an amphetamine, that's for sure.  Probably not wise to take if one is bipolar as it can bring on anger...huh, look who's talking lol...

[DiamondBlue]

This drug may not contain an amphetamine, but I swear it's the "demon within".  I've tried giving my meds to my husband to dole out to me, but found myself taking the key to the locked file cabinet while he was in the shower, that gave me more than enough time and he never counted them; tried giving them to my son to keep in his house under the guise I was constantly forgetting where I put them and wanted them in a secure place (yeah, right!) but when he would go to work (paramedic) I'd drive there and take what I needed.  Talked to my lady doctor and told her I was taking it, but didn't tell her 6 per day, and she prescribed me more but said not to take no more than 2 a day but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" (if it works for you, do it).  Tried tapering down and actually got down to 2 per day, but that when I was on vicodin for abcessed tooth and difficult extraction.  Told my psychiatrist and he gave me a tapering off plan, but he doesn't know I take 6, he thought I took only 4 and I been on these suckers daily for 4 years in August daily and I'm starting. AGAIN.tomorrow at only 5 per day and determined to get back  control of my life, but with all the **** going on in this house can't let anyone know their mom and grandma is a junky! My son and daughter are and with other stuff going on feel like I should be the one to lean on, but I can't even take care of myself.  Ain't that what mom's are for?  Wish mine was here so I could lean on her. Tried praying, novenas, begging for mercy and every other trick in the bag, so I can't tell you how good it was just to be able to unload my dirty secret, which makes me feel so rotten and so guilty, to someone willing to listen and let me vent, or dump as my grandkids say.  Thank you for listenint.  I hope you are doing well, Jade59. p.s. Jade is one of my favorite stones.

[DiamondBlue]

Just read and re-read the last line of your comment and you are dead-on right with that one and I never knew it before.  My marriage is going on the rocks, I'm nasty and just plain mean! My husband has been there for all my hospitalizations and always been there for me, but I treat him terribly! Even my shrink and analyst ask me "Why the heck are you so angry?"  DUH!  This has been a big load off my back as maybe i am not the horrible, mean, nasty person I thought I was......just a dumb one!  Thank you for opening my eyes; I can now put 2 + 2 together and finally start to see some light.  Feeling awful was a big reason I took this stuff in the first place (although it is prescribed for me for tension headaches and moderate pain, taken as prescribed of course) but taking it this long has made the the answer becomes the problem.  Thank you again.

[doriangray518]

I've been taking over 200 tabs a month between my wife and I.  You are dead-on!  Everytime we get a fresh script, the first night is ok, then the anger and meanness begins!  We have had to have the police called on more than one instance.  She's been in treatment five times and since I've never stopped using, she goes right back.  Our fights are mental and physical.  It's horrible, but we just don't stop and our doctor keeps renewing the prescription.  I was once told by a military doctor when he prescribed these for my migraines "to be careful, you take these and you are f**king with the devil".  His advice has come very true.  Take these with care.  Plus I'm bipolar, so the mania and anger completly gets out of control.  But my excuse is "it doesn't happen everytime".  Yeah, right.  Careful folks, it may be way too late for me (30 years on this medication) but it isn't for many of you.  Oh, God doesn't help since I'm choosing to keep using this crap. It's not like you can pass a store and choose not to go in and buy a bottle like a drinker would.  It's way too easy once you are an established patient to constantly renew the meds.