Per FDA guidelines recommending that manufacturers limit the dose of acetaminophen in prescription products, the formulation of fioricet has changed. “Old formulations” of fioricet contained 50 mg of butalbital, 325 mg of acetaminophen and 40 mg caffeine; “new formulations” contain 50 mg of butalbital, 300 mg of acetaminophen and 40 mg caffeine.
Manufacturers were allowed to make the “old formulation” of fioricet until January 1, 2014. Currently there is no move to remove or destroy the “old formulation”, allowing for an odd situation in which there could be two different formulations of fioricet in pharmacies.
| Formulation | DEA Schedule | Butalbital (mg) | Acetaminophen (mg) | Caffeine (mg) | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old fioricet | none | 50 | 325 | 40 | tablet |
| New fioricet | CIII | 50 | 300 | 40 | capsule |
Pain Medications, Pain Relief, and Pain Management
