Fiorinal Capsules Not Working Anymore (Top voted first)

I decided to start a new thread because although the capsules never worked as quickly as the tablets, they did work by 20 - 30 minutes later. As of July, 2017 they don't. Has anyone else noticed this recently? I've asked my pharmacist about getting a different manufacturer but they can't. Does anyone have any information about another change in the formula? Boy do I wish we could do something to bring back the tablets.

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Hello Verwon,

Looking at the capsule, the markings are Lannett 1552. Green top, yellow bottom. Looking closely at it to answer your question, I noticed an icon of what looks like two orbital paths, something science looking, that appears to the left of Lannett.

I've been taking Fiorinal for 41 years and I'm 64. Fiorinal always worked in tablet form and I could take 1/2 tablet instead of or in addition to a full one.

Thank you for looking into this. Any information you gather would help.

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What are the markings on the capsules you've been receiving? I am sorry, but I need this additional information in order to research this to help you.

The FDA warns that this medication carries the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, and sedation.

Several others have complained about the same issue, so maybe if you post back, we can tie things together.

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I suffer from migraine headaches and trigeminal neuralgia. I was prescribed many meds but Fiorinal was the medication that worked. Recently however I get absolutely zero relief from the medication. Can a manufacturer change the formulation of a medication and not inform the consumer? All I had to do was take one pill and go to sleep and I always got relief. Now I get no relief and I pay out of pocket approximately four hundred dollars per month for this medication. I would hate to think I am being told one thing and receiving something different? The medication looks identical though but I now have an odd taste in my mouth. Concerned and in pain.

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Re: Blondie (# 3)

First, I'm sorry that you are in pain and that you have to pay more for less relief. I'm also paying more per month. I'm angry that the pill form of Fiorinal has been replaced with capsules. I've also read that the capsules are time released, which is the exact opposite of what a migraine sufferer needs. They need a full dose of pain medicine...not time released.

I had to go back to the neurologist and he recommended a nerve block. I know this would not be happening if they left Fiorinal in pill form.

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Issue is this quite simply. Fiorinal had been produced by Sandoz for over 25 years. Over the past several years another company, Tribute, was producing their generic version while Sandoz continued to produce original Fiorinal. Sandoz sells all to Tribute which is the only company producing since 2017. i.e there is actually no difference whether your physician bothers to write "no generics" as there no longer seems to be an option. I know from much experience that at this point, it is simply far less effective than it has ever been in fact worse in my opinion. This version causes me to feel more nauseated and vomit far more frequently with an attack. I will only take these with something for nausea prior. I've never had to do that before. Secondary to migraine yes, but not for Fiorinal. I hope this helps.

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Im not sure about Fiorinal. But fioricet tablets changed their formula about 2 yrs ago. They only make the brand name caplets now and they cut the tylenol in the formula. They are not as strong.

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Re: Laura (# 6)

Oh, I was taking Fioricet for several years, until one day I realized taking more than 7 of them over a 12 hour period of time attacked my liver causing me to get very sick for two days. My neurologist thought it OK to go back for Fiorinal and that's when I found out Fiorinal was only available in capsules.

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Re: bette (# 5)

Thank you for the information, which shed light on why in 2017, Fiorinal is not working as well. I wish there was a way to make them bring back the tablets. I'm sorry you have been getting sick. Fioricet did make me very nauseous, but not Fiorinal.

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I haven't used just Fiorinal for years, but when I did, I usually got the tablets. A couple of times I got the capsule that is green and yellow. I am prescribed the name brand of Fiorinal # 3 or Fiorinal with Codein for my migraine headaches.. I thought it was just my imagination that the capsules were not working as fast or as well as they previously did. Also, I'm certain the capsules are much smaller than they used to be. I noticed the smaller size about 2 years ago, but again, thought I was mistaken. I know the company that used to make these capsules was bought out, and I now think, after reading the comments about the regular Fiorinal tablets and capsules that some kind of change has been made to the drug that makes it less effective and more prone to side effects. I also, have noticed a little more incidences of nausea and dizziness that I previously had. I used to get relief in about 15 minutes to an hour depending on which side my migraine was on. No it is from one hour to 3 hours to get the headache gone.

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Re: Southern Doc (# 9)

It is a limited comfort to know that I'm not going crazy and that others have questioned the same problem. I wish there was some way we could get the tablets back. I don't like the capsules and I do think they have (as of 2017) changed the formula. Thank you for replying and I thank the others also. I have learned quite a bit.

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I'm doing an update:

With all the government's focus on the Opioid epidemic, Doctor's are very squeamish about prescribing painkillers, even Fiorinal, which is a barbiturate. Fiorinal with codeine, of course, is an Opioid, but I've been taking straight Fiorinal for around 40 years for Migraines. My Neurologist wants me off of Fiorinal (it seems) at all costs. He has other medicines and procedures he wants to try. I'm trying to cooperate. I recently had a nerve block that did not work. I got very ill on one of the meds...very ill. I refused to take more of it. He wants me to try Topamax. I looked on this site to see how others do on it, only to read horror stories. So I was honest with him and said I would not take it. He understands and gave me another medicine that works about 50% of the time. I repeat myself over and over, but all this could have been avoided if they did not take Fiorinal from pill form to capsules. As many have stated, it doesn't work. If I had the money and connections, I would have the capsules tested as I suspect more filler than medicine is inside. To make matters worse, my pharmacist told me I should not be treated this way by the Neurologist. She said they know Fiorinal is a valid and effective medicine for migraines. It's an overreach by the government and a rip off by the manufacturer. He has prescribed a small amount of Fiorinal to take while he tries to find another way. Any reaction or feedback would be much appreciated.

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Re: Deborah (# 11)

I'm worried about that also. I think the government is having a knee-jerk reaction. To stop addicts from getting prescriptions for opioids, they want to stop patients who have used them to years and are NOT addicted to them. To try to stop the addicts, they will be punishing we who suffer from chronic pain like migraines and other diseases. I have bad reactions to most medications and have to be careful. I stay with what works. The addictive personality will get what they want on the black market. The answer is not stopping opioids from being prescribed. The answer is treating the addictive person.

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Re: Southern Doc (# 12)

A segment on tonight's PBS news hour cast a wider net stating, it's not an opioid epidemic but rather a population that is addicted because of over-prescribing of painkillers. So if that flies, doctors will have even tighter restrictions. This should not be happening. The real problem is the cheap and easy availability of Heroin, that teens are using like it's just Marijuana. I do agree with your addictive personality theory.

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Re: Deborah (# 8)

For cheaper fiorinal capsules buy them at Walmart WITHOUT using your insurance. A 30 day supply should only be $10 to $25. The price depends on which state you live in.

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Re: Tennisobo (# 14)

Thank you for responding. I have good insurance and I do plan to have my neurologist write for Fiorinal without option for generic, when my current script expires. I’ll price shop and thanks for the Walmart tip.

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As of yesterday I realized the compound of my medication feels differently actually a hundred percent differently. 4 days I was going back and forth with the pharmacy the manufacturer that their compound has definitely changed and nobody wants to admit to this I used the brand fiorinol by Lannett... I feel all I'm getting is aspirin and I have a heartbeat which I assume is the caffeine. Usually the painkiller and the caffeine work nicely together to get rid of my headache now it just makes my head worse. After many days of going back and forth to the company's I finally got the exchange for the same thing and they said there's no compound change no company change I find that hard to believe.

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Re: Laurie (# 16)

So sorry guys my phone types whatever it wants but I get a fast heartbeat I don't even get that after two cups of coffee

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Re: Laurie (# 17)
Thank you for responding to this thread. I stopped taking the generic form of Fiorinal because it just didn't work. It looks like you are having real problems also and I'm sorry for that. I found I had to take more of the generic before I got relief. With the pressure on doctors to stop prescribing painkillers, taking more didn't fly well with my neurologist. So he wrote for the brand name and there was some improvement. Had to get insurance to cover it under an exception. But I've been helped a lot by a new medicine called Aimovig. It is a self-injection taken once a month. It is a preventative and it has reduced my migraines from daily to episodic. Maybe once every six days. If you have a history of migraines and failed treatments, you may qualify Aimovig. It is life changing for me any many others and the best revenge to the drug companies who have changed the formulation is...having the ability to not need the cheap stuff they pass as Fiorinal. Well, at least not as often. I wish you well.

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Re: Deborah (# 18)

Omg..we need to talk... I've been through so much, in the last few days... i'm mentally worn....I can go on and on about my experiences!!!! I have no problem... giving you my cell...

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