Key takeaways
Fioricet (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine) and Relpax (eletriptan) are both used to treat headaches, but they work differently and are used for different types of headaches. Fioricet is a combination medication that includes a barbiturate, an analgesic, and caffeine, and it's used to treat tension headaches. It can be habit-forming and may cause liver damage if taken too often. Relpax, on the other hand, is a triptan used to treat migraine attacks with or without aura. It works by tightening blood vessels in the brain and reducing swelling. Relpax is considered a first-choice treatment for migraines and is available as a lower-cost generic. Unlike Fioricet, Relpax is not habit-forming but can cause serious heart and blood pressure issues in some people. While Fioricet can be taken every 4 hours as needed, Relpax should not be taken more than twice in a 24-hour period and is not recommended for more than three migraines per month.
