Aa
is butalbital a controlled substance?
I had brain surgery in 1990 for a cerebral aneurysm. I've been being prescribed Fioricet since then, as I have bad reactions to aspirin, n-saids, SSRI'S, the newer anti-depressants, most recently Depakote, and the codeine family. Fioricet is the only thing that keeps me from getting what I call my "Killer headaches from hell!" My doc said he won't give me anymore Fioricet because it's very addicting and you're supposed to take only 2 per day. I searched PlanetRx and it says Fioricet is not a controlled substance and that the maximum dosage recommendation is 6 tablets per day. Yet, because of anxiety and depression, he has been dishing out first Xanax, (but it made my headaches worse) then Valium like they were candy! I checked with PlanetRx and both benzodiazepines are controlled substances and highly addictive. I realize that the Butalbital in Fioricet is also addictive--if this is true, then why isn't it a controlled substance? Also, after taking 4-6 tablets per day for the past 10 years, why can I go for days without it and not have severe withdrawal reactions? I'd appreciate any information you can give me, as I can't seem to find out much on the web. Thank you.
I'd only take one at a time and discuss it with your doctor at the next visit. That's just me.
If the doctor prescribed it we need to trust that. As long as you don't take it every single day and only when needed,I think you'll be fine. It's when you take it every day just for the fun and love of it that problems arise. Again though,chat with your OB about it so he can reassure you!
Good luck with your baby girl!!
If the doctor prescribed it we need to trust that. As long as you don't take it every single day and only when needed,I think you'll be fine. It's when you take it every day just for the fun and love of it that problems arise. Again though,chat with your OB about it so he can reassure you!
Good luck with your baby girl!!
My doctor gave me Fioricet for my headaches last week and I am 6 months pregnant and he says it is fine to take while I am pregnant because regular over the counter pain meds was not helping but I am some what afraid to continue using it from what I read on this site I dont want to become addicted or my baby girl be born addicted to it, but it really does work but it kinda makes me feel high because he told me to take 2 every 4 hours if needed but no more than 6 in one day, would any of you guys just stop taking it and suffer the headaches, or just take one at a time thanks everyone. Fallon
Mayberry~ I know...it's just crazy. Fiorinal and Fioricet are scheduled differently...I don't know why "the powers that be" didn't ask us!!
fiorinal comes 2 ways...with and without codeine. both are C-III substances...including the one WITHOUT codeine. this would lead you to believe that butalbtial is a C-III substance, but unfortunately they only rated the compound as a C-III, and not the actual drug since you can't get just plain butalbital. this means then other compounds do not automatically have to be a C-III substance just because they have butalbital in them, and so they aren't. fioricet, phrenelin, phrenilin forte, esgic...they're all different forumlations containing the same amount of butalbital but without being controlled. however, codeine in and of itself is controlled, which means that the other formulations that do contain codeine DO have to be controlled.
its very confusing and doesn't make a lot of sense. its also very surprising that this drug continues to make it under the radar...phenobarbital is the least abusable barbiturate there is because of its very long half life, and yet even it is controlled.
but the key actually is the fact that only certain formulations containing butalbital are c-III, where as the drug itself isn't....even though those formulations don't contain codeine so the only reason they are c-III is because of the butalbital.
its all very retarded, and this an old post. i just thought i would add this because butalbital is actually considered a C-III even though it isn't. butabarbital (very similar to butalbital) is a C-III, and both are very similar to amytal which is a C-II...so all in all it SHOULD be controlled but it isn't. its still flying under the radar like soma, tramadol, and a few others. i think it will eventually change though.
its very confusing and doesn't make a lot of sense. its also very surprising that this drug continues to make it under the radar...phenobarbital is the least abusable barbiturate there is because of its very long half life, and yet even it is controlled.
but the key actually is the fact that only certain formulations containing butalbital are c-III, where as the drug itself isn't....even though those formulations don't contain codeine so the only reason they are c-III is because of the butalbital.
its all very retarded, and this an old post. i just thought i would add this because butalbital is actually considered a C-III even though it isn't. butabarbital (very similar to butalbital) is a C-III, and both are very similar to amytal which is a C-II...so all in all it SHOULD be controlled but it isn't. its still flying under the radar like soma, tramadol, and a few others. i think it will eventually change though.
Fiorinal has codeine in it and as far as I know, they don't make it w/o codeine, hence the reasoning for a controlled substance. Fioricet comes with and without codeine. The codeine is the key to whether or not you get a controlled rating.
Both are very addictive and I'm finding more doctors who won't prescribe it or when a different doctor finds out that you take them, they want you to discontinue them.
Both are very addictive and I'm finding more doctors who won't prescribe it or when a different doctor finds out that you take them, they want you to discontinue them.
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