A question about Zoloft and Fioricet

[susank2]

I am a 40 year old woman whose been taking 100mg of Zoloft for years now and will continue to do so probably for the rest of my life. I also suffer from migraine headaches from time to time and have been prescribed Fioricet by my doctor. My question is this...usually by the end of the day, I am tired (I have 3 kids) and get a little irritable and I find that if I take 2 Fioricet's it makes me feel so happy and content and loving. I want to know what's in the Fioricet that makes me feel this way? I'm scared to tell my doctor that I'm not taking them for headaches, but because they give me this incredible feeling because I'm afraid that she won't prescribe them anymore. Are they addictive? Can I get something over the counter that does the same thing?

I don't want to sound like I rely on drugs to make me feel content because that's not the case. But I feel that if I'm in a situation that I find myself getting anxious, nervous, or seariously stressed taking the Fioricet really helps me. Is this drug used for anything other than headaches?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Dr. Gould will not return until next wednesday. He will answer your question at that time.

[John W.]

"what's in the Fioricet that makes me feel this way?" -it's butalbital, a barbiturate, which is combined with acetaminophen (APAP) and caffeine.

"Are they addictive?" -most definately.

"Can I get something over the counter that does the same thing?" -not really, no barbiturate sedatives are available OTC.

"Is this drug used for anything other than headaches?" -no. it is indicated only for headaches--though, in my experience, doctors can (and sometimes do) prescribe a med for an 'off label' use, but I have heard of none for Fioricet.

Hope this helps,
JOHN W. (R.Ph)

[Marsh]

Susan,

I read your comment regarding taking zoloft and fioricet.  I  also take zoloft and additionally take fioricet for migraines.  I have had the same reaction.  I feel so much better mentally when I take the fioricet.  I told my doctor that I feel better when I take the fioricet.  He increased my zoloft dosage to see if I would attain the same effect and that did not happen.

I also noticed that I can accomplish so much more in terms of my job, housework, dealing with the children,etc. when taking the fioricet.  The doctor tells me I should not ever increase my fioricet dosage because of the likelihood of addiction.  But I think there is definitely a connection between using zoloft with fioricet and maybe the medical professionals should explore that possibility for patients who suffer from anxiety and depression.

I've taken the fioricet to calm my nerves and it works.  So, why shouldn't it be used if it works?  If I have to take zoloft twice daily.  Why not take the fioricet as well?  If this combination works, why not use it?  

[karenm]

I totally agree with your comments about the relief found in the combination of zoloft and fioricet.  The only unfortunate experience that I have been encountering in the past year is that due to the addictive component in fioricet, a rebound effect has superceded the good effects I have been experiencing.  I am to the point of getting in to some kind of a drug program to get me off the fioricet.  It's unfortunate because the effects are wonderful, but the lasting effects are less and less and I'm finding I need more and more of the drug to maintain the initial effects of calm and euphoria and contentment. In fact when I'm out of the drug, I'm totally exhausted, filled with body aches, and quite disfunctional and depressed in spite of the zoloft that I still take.
Thanks for letting me share.

[karenm]

I totally agree with your comments about the relief found in the combination of zoloft and fioricet.  The only unfortunate experience that I have been encountering in the past year is that due to the addictive component in fioricet, a rebound effect has superceded the good effects I have been experiencing.  I am to the point of getting in to some kind of a drug program to get me off the fioricet.  It's unfortunate because the effects are wonderful, but the lasting effects are less and less and I'm finding I need more and more of the drug to maintain the initial effects of calm and euphoria and contentment. In fact when I'm out of the drug, I'm totally exhausted, filled with body aches, and quite disfunctional and depressed in spite of the zoloft that I still take.
Thanks for letting me share.

[karenm]

I totally agree with your comments about the relief found in the combination of zoloft and fioricet.  The only unfortunate experience that I have been encountering in the past year is that due to the addictive component in fioricet, a rebound effect has superceded the good effects I have been experiencing.  I am to the point of getting in to some kind of a drug program to get me off the fioricet.  It's unfortunate because the effects are wonderful, but the lasting effects are less and less and I'm finding I need more and more of the drug to maintain the initial effects of calm and euphoria and contentment. In fact when I'm out of the drug, I'm totally exhausted, filled with body aches, and quite disfunctional and depressed in spite of the zoloft that I still take.
Thanks for letting me share.