Barbiturates, Aspirin, and Codeine (Systemic)
Category- Analgesic—Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine; Phenobarbital, Aspirin, and Codeine
‡ In Canada, Aspirin
is a brand name. Acetylsalicylic acid is the generic name in Canada. ASA,
a synonym for acetylsalicylic acid, is the term that commonly appears on Canadian
product labels. DescriptionBarbiturate (bar-BI-tyoo-rate)
, aspirin, and codeine combinations are used to relieve headaches
and other kinds of pain. These combination medicines may provide better pain
relief than either aspirin or codeine used alone. In some cases, relief of
pain may come at lower doses of each medicine.
Codeine is a narcotic analgesic (nar-KOT-ik an-al-JEE-zik)
that acts in the central nervous
system (CNS) to relieve pain. Many of its side effects are also caused by
actions in the CNS. Butalbital and phenobarbital belong to the group of medicines
called barbiturates. Barbiturates also act in the CNS to produce their effects.
When you use a barbiturate or codeine for a long time, your body may get
used to the medicine so that larger amounts are needed to produce the same
effects. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, barbiturates and
codeine may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) when
they are used for a long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead
to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medicine. In patients who
get headaches, the first symptom of withdrawal may be new (rebound) headaches.
The butalbital, aspirin, and codeine combination also contains caffeine
(kaf-EEN). Caffeine
may help to relieve 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.
Aspirin is not a narcotic and does not cause physical dependence. However,
it may cause other unwanted effects if too much is taken.
These combination medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription,
in the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Butalbital, Aspirin, Caffeine, and Codeine
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S.)
-
Phenobarbital, Aspirin, and Codeine
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
- Ascomp with Codeine No.3 1
- Butalbital Compound with Codeine 1
- Butinal with Codeine No.3 1
- Fiorinal with Codeine No.3 1
- Idenal with Codeine 1
- Isollyl with Codeine 1
In Canada—
- Fiorinal-C 1/4 1
- Fiorinal-C 1/2 1
- Phenaphen with Codeine No.3 2
- Tecnal-C 1/4 1
- Tecnal-C 1/2 1
|
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following combination medicines are numbered
to match the corresponding brand names. |
| This information applies to the following medicines: |
| 1. |
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Codeine ‡ (byoo-TAL-bi-tal AS-pir-in and KOE-deen) |
| 2. |
Phenobarbital, Aspirin, and Codeine ‡ (fee-noe-BAR-bi-tal AS-pir-in and KOE-deen)* |
| * Not commercially available in the U.S. |
|
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