Butalbital
| 160px | |
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
|
5-(2-methylpropyl)-5-(2-propenyl)- 2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-pyrimidinetrione | |
| Clinical data | |
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration | oral |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 20-45% |
| Metabolism | hepatic |
| Biological half-life | 35 hours [1] |
| Excretion | renal |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 77-26-9 |
| ATC code | none |
| PubChem | CID 2481 |
| DrugBank | APRD00266 |
| ChemSpider | 2387 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C11H16N2O3 |
| Molar mass | 224.256[[Script error: No such module "String".]] |
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Butalbital, structure presents as 5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with an intermediate duration of action. It has the same chemical formula as talbutal but a different structure. Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or aspirin, and is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pain and headache. The various formulations combined with codeine are FDA approved for the treatment of tension headaches.
Combinations include:
- Butalbital and paracetamol (acetaminophen) (trade names: Axocet, Bucet, Bupap, Cephadyn, Dolgic, Phrenilin, Phrenilin Forte, Sedapap)
- Butalbital, paracetamol (acetaminophen), and caffeine (trade names: Fioricet, Esgic, Esgic-Plus)
- Butalbital and aspirin (trade name: Axotal)
- Butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine (trade names Fiorinal, Fiormor, Fiortal, Fortabs, Laniroif)
- Butalbital, paracetamol (acetaminophen), caffeine, and codeine phosphate (Fioricet#3 with Codeine)
- Butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine phosphate (trade name: Fiorinal#3 with Codeine)
Side effects
Side effects for any drug are difficult to predict, but commonly reported side effects for butalbital include:
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File:Fioricet.jpg Fioricet (50/40/325) |
There are other potential side effects; this list should not be considered all-inclusive.
Dangers and Risks
Butalbital is a physically and psychologically addictive barbiturate. Butalbital should not be mixed with alcohol due to increased risk of intoxication, increased respiratory depression, and increased liver toxicity when it is a butalbital combination including paracetamol. Many opioid-dependent persons frequently use barbiturates as a potentiator to their normal dose of opiates in order to increase the effects, or with a less than normal dose as means of conserving their supply. Especially when used with the stronger Schedule II narcotics, suicide or accidental death occurs much more frequently than first reported with one drug alone. Use of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other CNS-depressants often also contribute to respiratory depression, coma, and in extreme cases fatality. This is why Butalbital is frequently encountered with other deterrents dangerous in higher doses such as, almost always, Paracetamol/Aspirin and Caffeine(much like Tylenol #3, Vicodin, Percocet). There are other potential risks; this list should not be considered all-inclusive.
References
External links
"Butalbital". On-line Medical Dictionary. Retrieved June 26, 2005. "Butalbital and Acetaminophen (Systemic)". MedicinePlus Drug Information. Retrieved December 31, 2006. "Controlled Substances in Schedule III". Drug Enforcement Administration. 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
