Compare Amerge vs. Fioricet
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats migraine headaches.
Amerge (naratriptan) isn't as good as other similar medications for migraines, but can be good if other drugs haven't worked for you.
Treats some serious headaches.
Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) works well for tension headaches, but isn’t typically recommeneded as a first-line treatment due to the ability to overuse it and have withdrawal symptoms.
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4.3/ 5 average rating with 17 reviewsforFioricet
Upsides
- Amerge (naratriptan) is a good alternative to other triptans since it's less likely to cause side effects and if other triptans haven't worked for you.
- Available as a generic, which makes it cheaper than other medicines and is more likely to be covered by insurances.
- Amerge (naratriptan) comes in two different strengths.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) works better and faster in treating tension headaches than the combination of acetaminophen and codeine.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) has a cheaper, generic version.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) does not require dosage adjustments if you have kidney and liver problems.
Downsides
- Amerge (naratriptan) is only available as a pill that must be swallowed, so it might not be good if you have trouble swallowing when you have a migraine.
- Unlike other migraine medications, you have to wait for 4 hours before you can take the second dose of Amerge (naratriptan).
- Amerge (naratriptan) is not as good as other medications for treating nausea that can happen with migraines.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) isn't the first choice medication for treating tension headaches.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) is not a good medication for long-term use.
- Overuse of Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) can lead to chronic tension headaches.
- Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, intoxication, and dependence.
- Taking Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) can decrease your ability to drive a car, or operate machinery.
Used for
- Tension headache
- Muscle contraction headache
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Solution
Price
Lowest price
$20.89
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$11.25
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
17 reviews so far
88%
saidit'sworth it
76%
saiditworked well
12%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
6possible side effects
- Stomach problems6%
- Nausea4%
- Nervous system issues4%
- Unusual sensation2%
- Fatigue or uneasiness2%
- Pain and pressure sensation2%
The Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- history of chest pain/angina
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Stroke
- History of a stroke
- Medication overuse headache
- Using Amerge (naratriptan) for more than 10 days a month
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- Increased blood pressure
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Blood vessel issues
- High blood pressure
- history of stroke
- History of clots in the legs or arms (DVT)
- Liver toxicity
- Drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day
- Taking Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) with other acetaminophen-containing medicines
- History of liver disease
- Potential for habit-forming, abuse, and misuse
- Personal or family history of substance abuse
- History of mental illness
- Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions
- Allergy to Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine)