Dolgic

Generic Name: acetaminophen and butalbital (a SEET a MIN oh fen and bue TAL bi tal)

Brand Names: Bupap, Cephadyn, Marten-Tab, Phrenilin, Phrenilin Forte, Promacet, Sedapap

What is Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

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.

The combination of acetaminophen and butalbital is used to treat tension headaches. This medicine is not for treating headaches that come and go.

Acetaminophen and butalbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Before you take acetaminophen and butalbital, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver or kidney disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Butalbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or butalbital, or if you have porphyria. Butalbital may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

To make sure you can safely take acetaminophen and butalbital, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;


• kidney disease;


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  a stomach or intestinal disorder; or

  
  


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  a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

  
  

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether acetaminophen and butalbital will harm an unborn baby, but it can cause seizures in a newborn if the mother takes the medication late in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Acetaminophen and butalbital can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.

How should I take Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver. Adults should not take more than 1 gram (1000 mg) of acetaminophen per dose or 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day, you should never use more than 2 grams (2000 mg) of acetaminophen per day. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not stop using acetaminophen and butalbital suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using acetaminophen and butalbital.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using acetaminophen and butalbital. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Butalbital is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since acetaminophen and butalbital is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen and butalbital can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sweating, extreme drowsiness, confusion, fainting, shallow breathing, or no breathing.

What should I avoid while taking Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

Acetaminophen and butalbital may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as "APAP") is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.

Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  fast or pounding heart rate, feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  feeling like you might pass out;

  
  


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  confusion, depression;

  
  


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  feeling restless, excited, or agitated;

  
  


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  seizure (convulsions); or

  
  


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  nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

  
  

Less serious side effects include:

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  headache, dizziness, drowsiness, shaky feeling;

  
  


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  drunk feeling;

  
  


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  vomiting, constipation;

  
  


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  heartburn, trouble swallowing;

  
  


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  numbness or tingly feeling;

  
  


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  dry mouth;

  
  


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  sweating or urinating more than usual;

  
  


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  leg pain, tired muscles;

  
  


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  stuffy nose, ear pain, ringing in your ears; or

  
  


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  mild itching.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Dolgic (acetaminophen and butalbital)?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by butalbital. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• 
  

  an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with acetaminophen and butalbital. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Dolgic resources

• Dolgic Side Effects (in more detail)
• Dolgic Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Dolgic Drug Interactions
• Dolgic Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Dolgic - Add your own review/rating

• Axocet MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cephadyn Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Phrenilin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Tencon Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Dolgic with other medications

• Headache

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about acetaminophen and butalbital.

See also: Dolgic side effects (in more detail)