Why Are Some Drs Afraid To Perscribe Fioricet?
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One Dr I was going to said one 2 times a day, I have to take 2 to get rid of a headache. Then if i run out to soon they won't give me anymore . So then I am out to soon. Even though I have told them 1 doesn't work good enough. I have even gone to the same office and seen a different dr who said they wouldn't give them to me. What is the big deal ? If you finally find something that works stay with it.

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Re: BL (# 5) Expand Referenced Message

No codine just the usual 3 ingredients

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Re: Kevin (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

I have since had blood work done , liver is fine. I have also cut way back on the fiorcet. I was taking 2 at a time. I now take only 1. No advice from any doctor, just did it on my own. I take 2 a day .

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Butabarbital can be addicting. If the Fioricet you are prescribed also contains contain Codeine. That increases the risk of addiction. Other medications you are prescribed may or may not add to your doctors concern.

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Hello Lora,

Despite Fioricet being a schedule IV drug it is still a habit forming drug after prolonged use. The body becomes both physically and psychologically dependent upon these drugs and to make things worse most people build a tolerance to this drug faster than ibuprofen which means the dosages will need to be increased as the body adjusts which in turn creates an even stronger addiction. Fioricet as well as acetaminophen can cause acute liver damage when taken for prolonged periods or when taken in high dosages, which is likely why they were shocked to see you were taking them for such a long time daily. Ibuprofen does not cause acute liver damage which is most likely the reason they chose to swap to that drug as to avoid causing any unnecessary damage to the liver.

A little snippet of information about acetaminophen is that according to a study done in 2003 it was the leading cause of 51% of all liver failure reported for that year. This means that acetaminophen pain killers caused more liver damage than all other causes combined for that year. Here is another link to a NIH page where they discuss the correlation between acute liver failure and acetaminophen [1] Acute Liver Failure including Acetaminophen Overdose

I understand that it is frustrating that this was working for you for such a long time but medical professionals have to weigh the benefits of taking a drug against the potential cons and in this case they determined that the downside of continuing to prescribe you this medication was just too much of a risk to your health.

Hopefully over time you and your primary care doctor are able to come to an understanding and find something that works for you instead of having to balance risking your health against having an acceptable standard of living. Happy holidays.

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Hi Lora, yes I have been told to take 800mg of ibuprofen for migraines as well. Of course, it does nothing, and since I have frequent headaches, I can't imagine what it would do to my liver over time, as that is a huge amount. Also, recently there have been more reports about ibuprofen being associated with heart attacks.

That is so rude...how you were treated. I don't understand why doctors treat headache sufferers that way. I know several people who have back pain issues, and they are prescribed strong narcotics...much stronger stuff than Fioricet. I feel for you, as I have been treated like a drug seeker, just going to get my legitimate scripts filled at the pharmacy. I would give anything to be free of these headaches so I could never have to request pain meds again. I had sinus surgery in March, which has helped somewhat, but I still have them frequently, although usually they are more tolerable now. Have you thought of seeing a Pain Specialist? They are very strict and do drug panels, etc., but perhaps they would be willing to help you. That will be my next step, if this new neuro doesn't refill my prescription. Good luck to you. I am so sorry.

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I agree, I went to a nero and asked for them and saw that I had been taking them for a long time. She said no! She said she considered them "a dirty drug"! Couldn't believe she said that. Never went back to her again. This place I go to now and have been going to a long time. I happen to get a different dr last time. He said out right I won't give them you. I was shocked because they always do. Its the only thing that works. He left and talked to another dr , came back and said he would give 1 rx. I have been prescribed ibrofin 800 milligrams for my headaches and it did nothing. Except give me a ulcer. Now I can't take any of it.

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Lora, I understand completely. I think they are concerned about rebound headaches if they are taken too often. Also, some neurologists don't like to prescribe anything for pain, and just rely on preventatives and triptans. I had my best quality of life with migraine with my first neurologist who prescribed Inderal as a preventative and 100 Fioricet/month. I never abused them or took more than prescribed. He has since retired. I just saw a new neuro in the same office, and she does not seem favorable to pain meds. I still have a refill, so I haven't had to bring it up yet. I am so sorry for you, because I too find that Fioricet works best for me. Heaven knows I have tried everything OTC and countless herbals remedies and gadgets. I am just trying to have a life. It's sad, but I think because so much pain medicine is abused by people who use it "recreationally," doctors are reluctant to prescribe for those who truly need it. I have never felt "high" from Fioricet, and can function perfectly normally while taking it; it has been a life saver for me. I wish you luck....perhaps try another doctor?

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