Last updated: 12 November 2023 & medically reviewed by Dr. Kimberly Langdon
There are many medications available that are designed to treat varying degrees and types of headaches. While some can be obtained easily from your local pharmacists, others require a prescription from a doctor, such as medications like Fioricet.
Key takeaways:
Use of Fioricet without a prescription is considered abuse of the substance as it can have hazardous side effects, especially when abused with other substances such as alcohol or MAOIs.
Fioricet is often only prescribed if the patient exhibits symptoms of tension headaches or migraines more than 10 times in a calendar month.
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Fioricet is a prescription-only medication
Fioricet is a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) meaning that it requires a prescription from a doctor to be used. Use of Fioricet without a prescription is considered abuse of the substance as it can have hazardous side effects, especially when abused with other substances such as alcohol or MAOIs.
Over the counter alternatives to Fioricet
Fioricet is often only prescribed if the patient exhibits symptoms of tension headaches or migraines more than 10 times in a calendar month. If your symptoms are not as severe as this or you have yet to receive a prescription, the following over-the-counter pain medications could help:
Naproxen
Ibuprofen
Advil
Aleve
Motrin
While these medications are available without a prescription (though some doctors will still prescribe them) it is important to check with a medical professional before taking them if you are on any other course of medication.
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