Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) is a combination medication containing butalbital and acetaminophen that can help treat and relieve pain from tension headaches. The medication is not a first-choice option for headaches, since it can lead to worsening headaches if it's used too often.
Tension headaches
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) is a combination of two medications that help relieve different aspects of tension headaches. Tension headaches are commonly related to stress or anxiety, and they can cause pain.
Butalbital is a barbiturate, which is a type of medication that lowers anxiety and helps you relax.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever. It's unclear how exactly acetaminophen works, but it's thought to work on many chemical pathways in the body to change how we respond to pain.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Bleeding or crusting sores on lips
fever with or without chills
hive-like swellings (large) on eyelids, face, lips, and/or tongue
muscle cramps or pain
red, thickened, or scaly skin
shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing
sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth (painful)
Symptoms of overdose
Anxiety, confusion, excitement, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, or trouble in sleeping (severe, especially with products containing caffeine)
convulsions (seizures) (for products containing caffeine)
diarrhea, especially if occurring together with increased sweating, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps or pain
dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or weakness, (severe)
frequent urination (for products containing caffeine)
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
increased sensitivity to touch or pain (for products containing caffeine)
muscle trembling or twitching (for products containing caffeine)
nausea or vomiting, sometimes with blood
ringing or other sounds in ears (for products containing caffeine)
seeing flashes of "zig-zag" lights (for products containing caffeine)
shortness of breath or unusually slow or troubled breathing
slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
slurred speech
staggering
swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area
unusual movements of the eyes
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Bloody or black, tarry stools
bloody urine
pinpoint red spots on skin
swollen or painful glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness (mild
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Combines two medications into a single pill to relieve headache pain in different ways
Lower risk of stomach problems, constipation, or bleeding compared to other butalbital headache medications that contain aspirin or codeine
Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
Taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) for a long period of time can become habit-forming.
Not recommended as a first-choice option for headaches because of risk of worsening headaches with overuse or frequent medication use
Can cause bothersome symptoms if stopped suddenly after taking for a long period of time
Is a controlled medication in some states, so it might have special requirements to getting your prescription filled
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) can make you feel sleepy. Make sure you know how the medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require you to concentrate.
It's not recommended to drink alcohol or take other medications that make you feel sleepy or less alert while taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen). This can raise your risk of extreme sleepiness and accidental injuries. Drinking alcohol with Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) can also raise your risk of liver damage.
Don't take other medications that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) while taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen). Taking high amounts of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can raise your risk of liver damage. Don't take more than 3 to 4 grams of acetaminophen per day. Ask your provider what your maximum daily amount of acetaminophen is, since this depends on your provider's instructions.
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) can be habit-forming. Don't take the medication more often than prescribed, for longer than prescribed, or at higher doses than prescribed. If you're taking the medication for a long period of time, you might start to feel the need to take higher doses to get the same relief. You can also experience bothersome side effects, such as seizures, delusions, restlessness, trouble sleeping, and shakiness, if you stop taking the medication suddenly.
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of liver disease | Taking other medications containing acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Taking more than 3 to 4 grams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in a day | Alcohol use
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) contains acetaminophen. Taking more than 3 to 4 grams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in a day raises your risk of serious liver damage. Because some over-the-counter medications for fever, pain, cold, or flu symptoms contain acetaminophen (Tylenol), it's important to be aware of how much acetaminophen (Tylenol) you're taking throughout the day. To lower this risk, don't take more than one medication containing acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you realize you've taken more than 3 to 4 grams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in a day, go to the emergency room right away even if you feel well. If you notice symptoms of liver damage, like stomach pain, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, get medical help as soon as possible.
Risk factors: Taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) with alcohol | Taking other medications that make you less alert | Age 65 years or older
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) can affect your ability to focus, think, and react. Taking other medications that make you feel sleepy and less alert can worsen these symptoms. Avoid activities that need you to focus, like driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
Risk factors: Taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) longer than prescribed | Taking higher doses of Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) than prescribed | Taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) more often than prescribed
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) contains butalbital, which can be habit-forming. It can cause physical dependence if it's taken for a long time, meaning you might need higher doses of the medication to get the same relief. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms, like seizures, restlessness, trouble sleeping, and shakiness, if you lower your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly. To lower the risk of physical dependence, don't take Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) longer than prescribed, at higher doses than prescribed, or more often than prescribed. If you no longer want to take Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen), talk to your healthcare provider so they can instruct you on how to stop taking the medication safely. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternative treatments if you have concerns about taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen).
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) contains acetaminophen, which can cause rare but serious, life-threatening skin reactions. These reactions can look like reddening or peeling of the skin, painful rash, and fluid-filled blisters. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop taking Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) and go to the emergency room right away.
Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) contains acetaminophen, which have caused severe allergic reactions in some people. Bupap (butalbital / acetaminophen) shouldn't be used if you've had a severe allergic reaction to acetaminophen in the past. If you experience trouble breathing, itchiness, or swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, go to the emergency room right away.
Tablets containing 25 mg/325 mg (butalbital/acetaminophen): The typical dose is 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 12 tablets in a day.
Tablets containing 50 mg/300 mg or 50 mg/325 mg (butalbital/acetaminophen): The typical dose is 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours as needed for headache relief. Don't take more than 6 tablets in a day.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Porphyria (a condition that affects your skin and nerves)
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