How to Taper Off of Fioricet

[Sapphie130]

Hi,

I have been on Fioricet (without Codeine) after a failed surgery last year.  Most days I took 4 - 6 pills.  Some days I would take 2 pills.  However, I have just learned that the barbituates in Fioricet are actually bad for headaches, causing rebound headaches, and decided to stop.  I reduced to 2 pills a day and then the last few days had zero pills.  Suddenly, I felt the worst anxiety I have ever felt in my life.  It was like a panic attack that wouldn't quit.  I have read that severe anxiety can be a symptom of withdrawal from Fioricet.  I don't abuse this drug and never considered that my body was dependent on it.  I didn't know there were repercussions to just stopping it cold turkey.  Now I am thinking I should have tapered off more slowly.

I went back up to two pills yesterday, but still feel full of anxiety.  I don't want to take any more of this drug.  Can anyone recommend a good plan for how to taper off so I won't feel withdrawal symptoms??

Thanks for any help!

[PlausibleGuy]

I've taken Fioricet on and off for years. Also I've taken the maximum daily dose for weeks and stopped abruptly -I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. Yes you will get rebound headaches, but the one I would worry about is your seizure threshold, and also GI Issues (seeing how fioricet is generally constipating and stopping will usually cause the opposite. Tapering is the best idea, if you have any anti anxiety medication, this might lessen the withdrawal symptoms and cut down on your risk of seizures. Overall, tapers = best idea - stopping abruptly = possible, dangerous unless you have supporting medications. As always consult your primary care physician.

[cbdoilskincare]

The way you have provided detailed tips, opinions, and discussions about Butalbital (FIORICET) and the guidance you provided, it's imperative. Reading this post will make everyone feel better about "Headache".

[Carolnlenny]

Hi Vicki...     I am up to 3 Or 4 a day.  When you at taper for....what do you suggest on a daily basis to begin with?

Carol

[cazoo]

Hi and thank you.   Excedrin usually bothers my stomach but I think I have Excedrin migraine so maybe that will be better for me at this time.  My doctor is calling in a prescription today for Topomax so hopefully that will kick in too.  I am so shocked to see how many have been addicted to this awful drug and for so long.   The side effects not only from the withdrawla but while taking it is incredible.   Yes, Tuesday will be a full week that Im offf this.  I just want ....and need this feeling to go away.   Thank you for your input.

[Jade59]

Hello.  If you can take aspirin, give Excedrin a try for the headaches.  Not only are you missing the barbiturate but also the massive amt of caffeine.  Excedrin will help.  By all means see your neurologist, but I think you'll see an improvement in your memory as you gain time away from Fioricet.  I have taken this drug for 37yrs.  Been dealing with short term memory issues for some time now.  I thought I was ready to quit early this yr, but 4 months ago I was  faced with a life changing event causing me to rely on it more than ever and unwilling to make the effort for now.  

Let that refill on the 16th go.  See your dr for meds to help...or get your refill to taper like Vicki said.  Also, you may feel worse before you feel better as butalbital has a long half life.  You're a week off, try to keep going.  Please don't let 20yrs tethered to this drug turn into 30.  Hugs to you and stay strong!    

[cazoo]

Transient global amensia?  Is it temorary?  How did they detect that?  My goodness,,,what have we done to ourselves?  I have appt next Wednesday with an neurologist. They want me to go for a brain scan but I dont do closed in MRIs. Even my gums hurt.  You have so much knowledg about this.  Maybe Ill try my own thread.  Not t
at this hour...maybe tomorrow.  

[vicki595]

If you start your own thread it appears on the forum and is current. We've been posting on a thread that's 3 years old and people tend to overlook the older threads and don't comment.  So if you wanted a variety of comments and the support of more members, you can start your own thread  where it will be seen. Up to you.

Yes. I recommend you see your doctor. I think the wd's would last 7-10 days with an abrupt withdrawal such as this; even with Ativan.  It would be much better if you tapered off. The headaches would go away and you'd feel a lot better. That's where your doctor can help you. There are meds he can prescribe for you or he can taper you with Fioricet.  You have to do it though and tapering can be hard!  If someone could hold the pills and dole them out it helps.   I tapered over several months because I took  ALOT everyday. The day I was diagnosed with Transient Global Amnesia was the day I began the taper.  So I understand how you feel...

[cazoo]

How long does it take to end the withdrawls?  Or is everyone different?  Do you recommend I see my doctor as well while Im going through this?  I thought I was at the beginning stages of alziemers.  This has really shaken me to my core.   I am having such horrible headaches from the withdrawls too.  Taking imitrex.   What is the purpose of starting my own thread?  So new to this.   Thanks so much for all your inspiration.

[vicki595]

That's the thing with this drug and with most drugs; eventually it turns on you. I had a horrible problem with my short term memory and that began my taper off the drug. I took it for decades and I've been clean for over 5 years.

The big thing with withdrawal is the risk of seizures. Cold turkey is not recommended. For you, topamax would cover your seizure risk and Ativan will, too. Ativan and the benzos cover all the same receptors as butalbital so you'll be in the clear if you take it.  Also, it will help the horrible anxiety that occurs with withdrawal.  

You can do this and I'll help you if you have questions and with support. Go ahead and start your own thread if you want. Just go to the top of the page and click on "post a question".  That way, other members will see your thread and comment.  

[cazoo]

Hi.  Yes. I have ativan but it makes me very sleepy.  I guess I could take a quarter of a dose.  I read above where someone is now on Topimax.  My doctor has been trying to get me on that for quite some time but I have been so haapy on the fioricet.  Until the past 6 months, my memory is fading....Im extremely forgetful...nervous....anxious....you know.     It really is an awful drug.

[vicki595]

Hi there- Well, the first thing I would suggest is calling your doctor. You might be surprised how much support he/she can offer. 20years is an awfully long time to be on this drug; believe me I know!

Do you have any Xanax, Ativan, or similar in the house?

[cazoo]

Hi.  I have been taking fioricet for over 20 years but the last 10 I have been taking anywhere from 4-6 daily.   I red your posts about tapering off slowly but U cant get another refill until the 16th of this month....and that will/make it over a week with no pills in y body.  I am already experiencing the side effects and other than drinking a lot of water, what else do you suggest?
Thanks

[vicki595]

Hi- That plan will work nicely for you. Don't worry. It's good to see a doctor who knows how to taper this med properly; many don't.
Check in and let us know how you're doing-

[Ncsundown1968]

My neurologist told me to taper off my Fioicet 3 a day for a week ,then 2 day for a week then one a day for a week...he put me on Topamax and Relpax, I'm praying these work !

[vicki595]

Casey- First, start your own thread by going up and clicking on the Post a Question button.

What is it you're asking? What do you want to know?

[Casey69]

Iwas placedon this medication because of multiple rupt discs in neck.  what do I do ?

[vicki595]

Hi Tyra-  Rebound headaches are caused by Fioricet, it's a side effect that forces you to take MORE of the drug and it's a nasty cycle that you need to stop if you don't want to increase your dose. So...what to do?  Taper off by tiny amounts over time. Find something else to take that might work like Excedrin migraine, which worked well for me.

It's a funny thing. Fioricet is prescribed for tension headaches and it causes headaches after chronic use. This drug is best used on occasion and not every day so I would work on getting off of it completely.  Post back with any questions and I'll try to help. I have a lot of experience with this drug but left it in the dust over four years ago and I don't recommend it to anyone.  

[Stephanie419]

I'm just beginning to taper off and reducing from 4/day to 3/day has surely increased headache pain.  I was pretty miserable with headaches while on Fioricet, but worse with less medication so far.    I am unable to do normal activities of cooking etc. with this much headache pain.  I can not take any aspirin because I have hemophilia, and NSAIDS increase risk of bleeding. I do have some low dose Ativan I can use for anxiety, but nothing else to relieve headache.  My doctor says to stop the fioricet, but not how to do it.  I have heard that the withdrawal symptoms last 6 months.  Trying to be courageous and make this needed change - get off daily use of fioricet after using since 1985.  Any help is appreciated.  

[LaurenDuff33]

Hi, how are you feeling now? Are you still tapering? I know your post is a bit older so let me know if you still need help. I am currently tapering off Fioricet too and have questions for anyone who has been through this??

[tyra1055]

Hi,
My first time here and could use some help. I have been taking two Fioricet a day and feel I am getting rebound migraines now. My doctor said it was safe to take one every six hours. No way...I have been on one a day for six years now. How do I get off them for my headaches so bad I can hardly stand it.

[vicki595]

All Barbs and Benzos need to be tapered because of seizures and unpleasant wd's. Jade gave you very good advice about cutting the pills in half.

Let us know if you need anything else!

[Sapphie130]

Thanks for all the replies.  Never knew I could have such a physiological reaction to stopping a medication.  I feel like mind over matter always works, I guess not in this case!  I will taper down very slowly so I don't have these side effects again.

[Jade59]

I can't be exact, but that sounds about right. :)

Keep posting for support...

[Sapphie130]

Thanks Jade.  I wish I had known that this medication was so terrible to get off of.  It was presented to me as a very safe medicine to be on.  When you say to get a pill splitter, do you mean to drop by 1/2 a pill each week instead of one pill?

[Jade59]

Hi Sapphie, I too take Fioricet.  Like Vicki suggested, I would return to your normal dose, then start your wean from there.  Get a pill splitter and drop down by half instead of a whole pill at at time.  

Best of luck...

[Sapphie130]

Thanks Vicki,

My prescribing doctor always says that it is okay to just stop taking something.  He knows that over the last year I have been taking up to 6 daily, though sometimes it was only two and some days I could get by with none.  Maybe he thinks I shouldn't have any side effects?  I just know I have never felt so much panic/anxiety as I did the last two days.  It was a physical feeling deep in my chest and I was consumed with worry.  The only thing in my life I can attribute it to is decreasing the fioricet.

Maybe I will go back to just four a day for a week and then drop to three a week, then two, etc.  I have been off of it for a few days and prior to that was at 2 a day for a few days, so I don't want to go all the way back up to six.  Does this sound like a reasonable plan?

[vicki595]

Hi and Welcome-

First off, you should go back to your usual dose. Then you need to start tapering. It's important to taper because abrupt withdrawal may cause seizure activity.

We can't give specific taper plans, it's against policy. I can tell you that you'll feel a lot better tapering if you cut back a small amount of the drug over a longer period of time.  Can you call the prescribing physician?

This exact thing happened to me so I do understand. If you taper properly, it may take 8 weeks.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Good luck!