Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine and Sudafed PE Cold & Cough

• Generic Name: acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Capacet, Esgic, Fioricet, Margesic, Medigesic, Orbivan, Repan, Vanatol LQ, Zebutal, Esgic-Plus, Arcet, Isocet, Pharmagesic, Anoquan, Two-Dyne, Tenake, Anolor 300, Femcet, Geone, Tencet, Triad, Fiorpap, Dolmar, Endolor, Ezol, Ide-cet, G-1, Minotal, Mygracet, Pacaps, Alagesic, Americet, Nonbac, Dolgic LQ, Dolgic Plus, Vanatol S, Alagesic LQ

Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine combination is used to relieve symptoms of tension (or muscle contraction) headaches.

Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates. Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage.

When butalbital is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. However, people who have continuing pain should not let the fear of dependence keep them from using narcotics to relieve their pain. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects if treatment is stopped suddenly. However, severe withdrawal side effects can usually be prevented by gradually reducing the dose over a period of time before treatment is stopped completely.

Caffeine is a CNS stimulant that is used with pain relievers to increase their effect. It has also been used for migraine headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.

Butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / guaifenesin / phenylephrine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu, Delsym Cough Plus Cold Day Time, Mucinex Children's Cold, Cough & Sore Throat, Mucinex Fast-Max Severe Cold, Sudafed PE Cold & Cough, Tylenol Cold & Flu Severe, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Severe, Mucinex Sinus-Max, Sudafed PE Cold/Cough, Tylenol Cold Head Congestion, Tylenol Cold Multi Symptom, Tylenol Cold/Flu Severe, Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold/Flu

Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Sudafed PE Cold & Cough is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, chest congestion, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Sudafed PE Cold & Cough will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Sudafed PE Cold & Cough may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.