Fiorinal With Codeine #3 (Page 2) (Top voted first)

I've been taking 4 capsules per day for migraines and pain control. I've been taking this drug for 30 years and it seems like the only thing that works yet allows me to be productive. Since the unavailability issues about a year ago, it seems like they are now not as effective. It feels like they don't have the same amount of active ingredient. I agree that Watson was the best generic I tried. Does anybody know which manufacturer may be better to get from? I find I've been needing more like 6 per day and still am not getting the same relief. Any ideas?

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I too had to have my doc submit a special form in order to cover the quanity I am rxd each month. It's crazy but a once a year deal, thank God I know have descent coverage. I will say that most med sub drug providers will not even cover this med. I had to stick with traditional medicare, then go with cigna the only one who would cover this medication.

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Just a fyi. I have even tried Tylenol 4, with seperate script for plain fiorinal. That is not near as effective as well. I wonder if there is a way to get the meds with out any fillers?

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Diana hello.
I got some great ideas from you and thankyou. I'll keep watching posts to keep informed.....and hope you, too are getting answers. Christy

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DIANA: Have you ever tried the Fioricet? The butalbital and Tylenol W/O the codeine? That's what I take for migraines and it works for me. Also, I take something called Midrin which is isometh/acetaminophen/dichlor. Those work well for my migraines too. So I take the Midrin first, and if that doesn't work, then I go to the Fioricet.

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Hi KKH! Yes, I have tried all varieties of the compound. Unfortunately, I can't take acetaminophen. Also, the compound doesn't work at all for me without the codeine. After 35 years, I feel I've exhausted all efforts of finding a different medication. The only thing that has ever worked is Butalbitol/Aspirin/Caffeine/Codeine. Unfortunately, the drug companies have decided to mess with the production and include additives and I fear less of the effective compounds. I am SO glad you have found something that works for you. Thanks so much for your ideas!! We have to all stick together. Peace and Love!

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I am looking for a physician in the San Francisco area who prescribes fiorinal. Does anyone have any suggestions? My old physician passed away. Thanks. spencer

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Hi Purple 210! Understandably, you can build up a tolerance for medications and they may feel weaker. However, I have been taking them regularly for 35 years and when the manufacturer changes happened about 3 years ago, I heard from at least 50 people who had the same problems at the same time. There was a definite difference in the process and the additives. Thanks for the idea though!!

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Hey Diana! Just checking in. Any luck on finding info about a lab that would analyze a capsule for us and what costs would be? ( I'm quite sure that we'd have No trouble finding an attorney that would love to represent!)

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Hi Diana. I'm a PhD, not an MD. When I first started taking fiorinal and codeine in 1975, the prescriber included the strength of the codeine. #1 had the least codeine and every other number was a doubling of the amount of codeine while the other ingredients stayed the same. I noted that someone wrote that they thought the amount of the active ingredient in one of the Meds (don't remember which one) may have been reduced. The more likely answer is when you take something long term, you reach a point where you develop a tolerance and you need more to get the same pain relief. I started with one fiorinal and codeine (they all seem to be number 3 now, so docs don't put a number on prescription.) Some years ago I reached a point where that didn't work, so I've had to take two pills to relieve my tension headaches since.

I have been at the maximum dose almost every day for a number of years. I've also discovered almost by accident that this works best for me as a general analgesic. I have been prescribed oxy and hydro codons, Vicodin and other drugs considered more potent for other acute conditions (shingles, bruised and fractured ribs). And those more potent medications never did a thing for my pain, so I stopped taking them within a couple of days.

I've learned, being a cancer patient, that how we react to Meds varies a great deal. I've seen someone in the chemo room, react so badly to a chemo drug, that an ambulance was called to take them across the street to the hospital. And other patients on the same chemo went through it with minimal side effects. And I think my body's response to fiorinal and codeine as an effective pain reliever while not responding to newer, more potent, drugs is an example of that.

So since the codeine with fiorinal also seems to lower the back pain caused by the effects of cancer in my spine, I had the thought that if it was still available in #4 strength, it would be worth trying to see if it provided more spinal relief. The standard, which is what used to be labeled as #3, is perfectly acceptable for my chronic headaches. I suspect the medication is no longer made with different amounts of codeine.

I'm seeing a pain management doctor now as well as my oncologist and radiation oncologist. My cancer isn't curable and I know that as the cancer grows, it will continue to create more issues with my spine. But there is a positive note here. When I was first diagnosed, the chances of passing the 5 year survival rate were very low. But thanks to new treatments that didn't exist when I was first diagnosed, I've already passed 7 years and I'm not yet even close to the end point. So I remain an optimist.

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Doesn't the codeine mess up your stomach? Ever since Watson became Activis, none of the formulas seem the same. Probably no one oversees it. FDA seems useless. No one listens to the patients that take this stuff. I like the Fiorinal tablets that worked the best, but they stopped making them (Activis) in 2013 and never warned us so we could have stocked up. I think stomach bleeding might be a problem. It's an old drug, but it's the only one that works.

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Hi Verwon! Thanks for your reply. I've tried most all the traditional migraine meds for the injectibles (ex. Imitrex, etc.) to the newer ones even including Cymbatol, which was a long-shot but was worth the try. I can't use acetoimophine (sp?) because I get stomach upset. (Yea, I can take codeine, but not Tylenol.) I've even tried to get "brand name", but I think at this point there is not actually a brand name. Many think AsComp is brand name, but it is not. I'm open to any suggestions!! I don't know what else to try and my doc doesn't either. Thanks and have a great holiday!

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I feel for you, Mickey. I too, am finding no solution to getting decent Fiornal w/Codeine. I wish I could afford to have my script analyzed. It's so obvious they are not the same for the past 1-1/2 to 2 years. I'm going to keep trying though! And I'm going to try the brand you suggested...I've never heard of that one. Good Luck!!

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Just an update for my fellow migraine suffers: My wonderful pharmacist has been ordering from Breckenridge for the past four months. They are definitely the best I have found, although not like two years ago. I believe the problem is the pharmaceutical companies don't want this drug to be as effective because it is so cheap. Well, I pay $8.00 for 100 capsules (with my insurance). The newer, "fancier" drugs are MUCH more expensive...they have to make their money. I wish there was some way for us to ban together and approach the industry to simply make this drug the way it was for 50 years.

One thing I have found that helps when I am suffering an extreme migraine...I take the Fiorinal w/Codeine then supplement with 3mg of codeine sulfate. The codeine sulfate is simply codeine. Not the processed, wacked-out versions like oxycodone and hydrocodone, which have even more additives that seem to worsen my migraine. But, I still daydream about the good old days when two pills a day worked great with no side effects. If anybody knows what powers-that-be we could petition, I'm all ears!!

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Hi Ann. I am so sorry for our terrible situation. I have been taking Fiornal w/Codeine for 35 years and also have found them to be re-formulated the past two years or so. The only thing I could suggest is trying Fioricet (butalbitol, acetaminophen and caffine) then get a separate script for codeine sulfate, which is just codeine. Personally, I can't take the acetaminophen... I need the aspirin. My next appointment, I am going to ask my doc if there is a way to get separate scripts for the butalbitol, codeine sulfate, then add aspirin and caffeine (which you can get over the counter). I'm thinking if I can get them separate, then the fillers won't be there. I don't know what else to try. If you figure it out, let us all know!! Good Luck!!

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Diana and Ann,
I have sufferred from chronic migraines since college and was prescribed Fioricet w/Codeine by my neurologist about 10 years ago. The brand was amazing and did help mitigate the pain and nausea. Today, we're all at the mercy of lower cost generics. Have had excellent results with Qualitest brand although today, CVS dispensed Brenkenridge. Qualitiest is challenging to find in any pharmacy. I trust that Brenkenridge will be just as effective.

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Hi Lenny .. I have been taking the Brekenridge for about 5 months now. They work about 50 percent relief compared to the Fiorinal /codeine from years ago when they gave 100 percent relief. But, something is better than nothing. Qualitest is the only generic I've never tried. Please let me know if the Brekenridge works better than the Qualitest. I would appreciate it. I'm driving my "wonderful" pharmacist crazy changing manufacturers. Good Luck.

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Hi Lenny! I just check out the site for Qualitest and all I see is Fioricet (Butalbitol, Acetaminophen and Caffeine). I take Fiorinal w/Codeine (Butalbitol, Aspirin, Caffeine and Codeine). I'm not seeing where they offer either Fioricet or Fiorinal with codeine. Which, specifically were you getting from Qualitest? Because if they have what I need, I know my pharmacist will order it for me to try. You have made me hope, but I think it's too good to be true. LOL. Thanks, and have a good day!!

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Currently, generic from Breckenridge, 'ascomp with codeine', has worked very well, after having a horrible experience with Watson generic. 30 yr ha sufferer. Hope this helps. Use walgreens, who can order quickly, just ask for it as they are currently using Watson.

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Jobe, I agree. I've had the best results with Breckenridge and my pharmacist at Rite-Aid happily orders it for me. Unfortunately, this month, he must have been out and somebody else order and I got Lannett. They are so weak, I feel I have to take two. And, they make the roof of my mouth and throat itch! The current Breckenridge is the best I have found, but still not even close to the way they were about three years ago before they were mucked with. Good Luck!

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Mickey, I just wanted to thank you SO MUCH for suggesting Breckenridge last May. I have been using them since with better results. This month, somehow, Lannett was ordered and they are horrible. Weak (I feel like I need two at a time) and they make my mouth and throat itch. It is, however, a reminder there is a difference in manufacturers...no matter what the drug industry says. Anyway, THANKS MICKEY...your input has made living with chronic migraines much more manageable! If I could give you a hug, I would! Thank you!

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