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Fioricet vs. Axert

Fioricet is a combination medication containing butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine. It's taken by mouth as needed, typically every 4 hours, to treat tension headaches. But it's not a first-choice option because it can become habit-forming and can worsen headaches if taken too frequently. In addition, Fioricet can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness. It's available as pills and an oral syrup.

• Tension headaches

• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Loss of awareness (sedation)
• Trouble breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Feeling "high" (intoxicated)

• Liver damage
• Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
• Serious skin or allergic reactions
• Misuse, dependence, and withdrawal

Almotriptan is a type of migraine medication called a triptan. It treats migraine with or without aura in adults and certain children age 12 to 17 years. Its brand name Axert has been discontinued, so almotriptan is now only available as a generic. Almotriptan is a tablet that's swallowed whole when a migraine starts. You can take another tablet at least 2 hours later if the medication doesn't completely relieve your migraine. Side effects include sleepiness and headache.

• Treatment of migraine attacks in adults with a history of migraine with or without aura
• Treatment of migraine pain in children age 12 to 17 years with a history of migraine with or without aura that lasts 4 hours or more

Adults:

• Nausea (1-2%)
• Dry mouth (1%)
• "Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

Children age 12 years and older:

• Sleepiness (up to 5%)
• Dizziness (3-4%)
• Nausea (1-3%)
• Vomiting (up to 2%)
• Headache (1-2%)
• "Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

• Heart attack, chest pain (angina), and irregular heart rhythm
• Stroke or other brain injury
• Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
• Serotonin syndrome
• Worse headaches if you take almotriptan too often
• High blood pressure
• Serious allergic reaction