I Am Not Insane...the New Fioricet Is Not The Same.... (Top voted first)

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So, I've been taking the "old tablet", gross, bitter fioricet for unremitting trigeminal Neuralgia for about 6 years off and when my horrible TN kicks in. It has ALWAYS BEEN my miracle drug. Literally, I ran the gamut of headache meds. I'm 54 and have been getting aura, aura loop migraines since I was 16; then Trigeminal Neuralgia, nicely nicknamed, "The Suicide Disease" was found 6 years ago. It brings me to my knees....BBBBUUUT! The new capsule formulation of Fioricet does ZERO for it now, but it does make me vomit copiously with no relief from what used to be my miracle drug. I am on ACA and they don't want to pay for the old formulation, (they even went so far as to tell me that pill form never existed., so my pharmacist ordered it and I brought a pic, sheesh.) But even at my last hospital visits, the good old tablets were what they were giving me. And that my friends was just last week. Gotta push the new product docs. I fight and fight with the system to get them to even allow me to take the medication at all, although I have zero addiction problems with it. Not my kind "fun drug." Yuck. Anyway, now I have to convince the pain management specialist, ACA/ Obamacare and try and go "old school." The there IS A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN THE EFFICACY OF THE "new formulation." Sorry, had to yell! Good luck to all of you in the same boat. I'm sorry for your pain. I hope you get relief...and I'm so glad I'm not insane. Small solace.

20 Replies

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1

I agree. Used the round pill form for years whenever I would have a rare migraine. Just opened new prescription, that I got recently but hadn't checked, to find it in capsule form. It does NOT help! I'm not vomiting but the pain is awful! What in the world is going on!?

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2

I've took Fioricet in tablet form for about 5 years! Miracle drug!!! Today, my new dr prescribed the capsule form. I have migraines that make me wish I was dead. THE CAPSULE IS WORTHLESS! (I'm not vomiting though... Yet) it's a damn placebo! (In my opinion) my new pain management dr seems amazing, so on my next visit, i will inform her of the difference and get my tablet form back! Good luck to you all!

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4

I've had a similar problem getting my name brand Fiorinal #3 (with codeine).which I have used since 1985 for migraine headaches. It has kept me out of the ER all of those years. In September, CVS stopped stocking it in their warehouse so they could no longer order it for me. CVS offered me a generic which I refused. I went to Walgreen's who assured me they could get it in the next day. The couldn't get it the next day, and told me it would take three or four weeks. Then they tried to get me to try some kind of weird generic. I refused. Finally, got my prescription to K-Mart. They ordered the medicine and had it the next day, but I had to pay full price for it. In addition, my doctor got a letter from the federal government telling him that he should give me something else for my pain. . My own family can't get my medical records without my written permission, but the government in Washington, D. C. gets them without asking me, and they try to tell my doctor of 40 years how to treat me. The Fioricet problem is the direct result of the federal government, due to Obama, now being in charge of our medical care in place of our physicians.

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3

Just got mine yesterday - price was twice what it was before, and suddenly it is a capsule and contains codeine?? Been taking the caps for years, worked wonderfully and no side effects. Called my doctor about the change and he claimed they don't make it in same formula as before and this is what he substituted. Had a migraine today and took it - did nothing for the headache and I am suffering from nausea. What are we going to do? I found these posts, so I find that I am not alone in feeling cheated of something that was previously affordable and worked. Now what?

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5

Yes, I have had the same problem! I've taken the brand fioricet for headaches for 15yrs, in the tablet form. Then as of the 1st of this year I was told they no longer make the tablets but only a capsule. The capsule does not help my pain at all! I called manufacturer of Fioricet and they told me it was a business decision to stop making the tablets. What about what's best for the patient? I wish I had an attorney in the family to help me! Does anyone have any ideals what can be done for them to change the formulation back to the tablets?

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7

Omg you are sooo right that's my miracle drug, the new formula does not do the same. Fortunately I'm still able to get butalbatal the generic fiocet. Migraines are awful. I've suffered 20 years, 5 to 7 days been on 10 different meds none worked like fiorcet. I pray they don't f... With mine.

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11

I appreciate your message and you are correct! This whole thing has been a nightmare, and I can't say I exactly know what you are going through but my heart out to you because this is hell. I'm so frustrated with my current health and trying to taper, off 9 pills per day and I've been suffering too long slowly tapering and getting worse. It works yet now it's as if it is the new Norco or Percocet! Frustrating because I don't even take the ones with codeine so I'm losing my mind but currently so sick in withdrawal I'm scared. My Dr disappears too much and I'm about to scream because then I'm forced to become what feels like an " urgent care resident ". Then when I finally see my Dr , he lectures me at visiting urgent care ! Well, if he could stick to the plan on tapering then this would not happen
I'm tired of it and for 2 years he authorized monthly rx in 8 per day. Now I'm lucky if I get an rx before suffering at least 4-5 days before finally he helps w less but hey that's ok. I'm aware ofvtaper snd and I went to him asking to taper because he started pulling Houdini on me. Any advice from others in my shoes

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8

Surely there's someone who can properly investigate what's going on with the changes in Fioricet. The blue round pill worked great and was easy to swallow. This oblong white pill often gets stuck on the back of my tongue and is terribly bitter! The oblong white pill is ineffective and I don't know who they think they are kidding. When I picked up my prescription today my co-pay had increased by an additional $10 because of the price increase in the generic Fioricet. Looks like they have a good thing going for themselves. They've produced a pill that is not effective, replacing a good one that those of us who live with debilitating headaches have come to count on, and in addition, to add insult to injury, RAISED the price. I'm thinking surely there's something that can be done about this injustice and most importantly someone who can do it!

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9

I have had to use this for daily headaches for 30 years and now what does the government want us to do....live in pain and not be able to function all! So upset!!!!

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10

I'm having exact same problem! Been on it 10 years, is only thing that helps me function and get thru work with the chronic headaches & fatigue I deal with, always was round white pills. Now last 2 times I have filled my script it is oblong shaped pill, that does not help me at all. I noticed immediately but gave it a chance for a week, when i called pharmacy (Rite Aid) to ask they acted like i'm crazy, and explained its a new manufacturer that the old one is "experiencing a delay in production" so i kept trying with it but taking more than i should be to feel any effect! Today I finally called again to find out what the old manufacturer was so i can find someplace in my area that still carries it. Apparently CVS does so crossing my fingers this helps or I'm screwed. Now waiting to see if my doctor is going to call me to say it's too soon for him to fill so I can get into it with him. I feel alot better reading your post because it isn't just me!

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12

They are NOT the same. Seems they've lower the ingredient that help and added a lot of caffeine. They seem to be stating exact ingredients but not providing those same ingredients. Its horrible my daughter (who has migraines) rarely find relief with the new capsules. Brand name is a little better.

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13

Are fioricet also the same as the generic 50–325-40? The Westwood manufacturer which is a round blue pill does not work for me at all. I have to take four or five of that manufacturer to equal 2 of the manufacturer (I believe it's spelled) Mycart. It's an oblong white pill. One side of the pill says MIA and the other side says 110. Those were the best. I spoke to the pharmacist at CVS and he said he's had a lot of people complain that the blue pills don't work and have to take more. I know Rite Aid, Walmart and Walgreens all sell the white Mycart brand. Ask what manufacturer they use before you get your prescription filled.

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6

Yes, they are pushing the caps of generic Fiorinal.
I don't use Fioricet. but you know both are generic.
they now push FIORINAL /Generic in caps not tabs.
Tabs are not used in Fiorinal with the Aspirin/Omitted and substituted with Tylenol!

I wonder if it is because Aspirin now has been studied to help w/Alzheimer's???
Aspirin has been around for years and those w/heart problems use it; baby aspirin and a preventive help against some forms/types of cancer.

OH, Now the price of Aspirin; which has been going up- will probably go higher....
GREED in Pharmacuticals...........................

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14

If i understand right, Fiorcet is butalbital, caffeine, and acetomenafen. Its a tablet form. The other is Fiorinal-containing butalbital, caffeine, and aspirin in capsule form. Fioricet is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me. Fiorinal is useless.

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15

Butalbital in the generic form with acetominsphen is what I use for cervical disc bulge and chronic migraines when I can get it from the doc. Fiorinal capsules have the butalbital but aspirin instead of acetaminophen. DOES NOTHING AT ALL FOR ME!

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16

Wow I find that the oblong white pill works best for me the round white, yellow or blue don't work for me at all you're very fortunate that they work for you and there are a lot less expensive and yes Cvs carries the brand you're looking for which is the distributor of Westwood good luck to you

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17

Wow as I said to someone else the round pill does not work for me the oblong white pill dollars and I pay $80 more for the oblong white pill than I do for the round which is the Westwood Brand I wish those work for me it would cost me a lot less money

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18

I'm not sure if you take the 300 or 325 the 300 is a capsule for 325 is a pill i'm talking about the generic for Fioricet

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19

Re: Candice (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

I have got fioricet from india that says it's the same as the regular fioricet, but no luck. Has anyone taken this from india? It's a blue football shaped pill.

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20

Re: Southern Doc (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

My son has had migraines since he was 5 years old and now at 32 he has been diagnosed with suicide migraines. The only thing that used to help him was the migraine cocktail at the ER in which they added Dilaudid. He has been on DHE 45 admitted into the hospital. It did not work. The only thing that seems to help him is fiorinal 3 with codeine and the doctors do not want to prescribe this because of the problem. The only way that he can get relief is with this medicine! The Drs. do not believe that he is in the agony that he is. Someone please help me and my son.

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