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Is it Possible That Fioricet can Increase the Effects of Methadone?

Methadone is a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist, and a schedule II controlled medication.

Methadone is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) as a medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as well as for pain management. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective. Methadone helps individuals achieve and sustain recovery and to reclaim active and meaningful lives.

Methadone is one component of a comprehensive treatment plan, which includes counseling and other behavioral health therapies to provide patients with a whole-person approach.

Fioricet contains a combination of acetaminophen, butalbital, and caffeine Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Interactions Between Methadone and butalbital

methadone ↔ butalbital

Applies to: methadone, Fioricet (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine)

MONITOR: The coadministration of barbiturates and methadone may result in decreased plasma concentrations of the latter. There have been case reports of patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment who performed poorly or developed withdrawal symptoms during the use of barbiturates, which generally correlated with low plasma methadone levels. The mechanism of the interaction is accelerated clearance of methadone due to induction of hepatic CYP450 enzymatic activities by barbiturates. Although the interaction has only been reported with phenobarbital and pentobarbital, it is expected to occur with all barbiturates based on their known enzyme-inducing capabilities.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during concomitant therapy with these agents. Pharmacologic response to methadone should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation, discontinuation or change of dosage of the barbiturate in patients who are stabilized on their methadone regimen. Patients should be advised to notify their caregiver if they experience possible symptoms of methadone withdrawal, including restlessness, insomnia, sweating, lacrimation, or rhinorrhea.

Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with

methadone interacts with more than 400 other drugs.

Fioricet (acetaminophen/butalbital/caffeine) interacts with more than 400 other drugs.