Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine Capsules USP are supplied in hard-gelatin capsule form for oral administration.

Each capsule contains the following active ingredients:

butalbital USP……………………50 mg

WARNING: May be habit-forming.
acetaminophen USP…………….300 mg
caffeine USP……………………..40 mg

Inactive Ingredients: D&C yellow #10, FD&C blue #1, FD&C red #3, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, talc and titanium dioxide.

Butalbital (5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid), is a short to intermediate-acting barbiturate of molecular weight 224.26.

It has the following structural formula:

Acetaminophen (4´-hydroxyacetanilide), is a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic and antipyretic of molecular weight 151.16.

It has the following structural formula:

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), is a central nervous system stimulant of molecular weight 194.19.

It has the following structural formula:

This combination drug product is intended as a treatment for tension headache.

It consists of a fixed combination of butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine. The role each component plays in the relief of the complex of symptoms known as tension headache is not completely understood.

Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine capsules are indicated for the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

Evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of this combination product in the treatment of multiple recurrent headaches is unavailable. Caution in this regard is required because butalbital is habit-forming and potentially abusable.

This product is contraindicated under the following conditions:

• Hypersensitivity or intolerance to any component of this product.
• Patients with porphyria.

Butalbital is habit-forming and potentially abusable. Consequently, the extended use of this product is not recommended.

Hepatotoxicity

Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen containing product. The excessive intake of acetaminophen maybe intentional to cause self-harm or unintentional as patients attempt to obtain more pain relief or unknowingly take other acetaminophen-containing products.

The risk of acute liver failure is higher in individuals with underlying liver disease and in individuals who ingest alcohol while taking acetaminophen.

Instruct patients to look for acetaminophen or APAP on package labels and not to use more than one product that contains acetaminophen. Instruct patients to seek medical attention immediately upon ingestion of more than 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day, even if they feel well.

Serious skin reactions

Rarely, acetaminophen may cause serious skin reactions such as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which can be fatal. Patients should be informed about the signs of serious skin reactions and use of the drug should be discontinued at the first appearance of skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

Hypersensitivity/Anaphylaxis

There have been post-marketing reports of hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis associated with use of acetaminophen. Clinical signs included swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, respiratory distress, urticaria ,rash, pruritus, and vomiting. There were infrequent reports of life-threatening anaphylaxis requiring emergency medical attention. Instruct patients to discontinue Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine Capsules, USP immediately and seek

medical care if they experience these symptoms. Do not prescribe Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine Capsules. USP for patients with acetaminophen allergy.

Frequently Observed

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and intoxicated feeling.

Infrequently Observed

All adverse events tabulated below are classified as infrequent.

Central Nervous System:headache, shaky feeling, tingling, agitation, fainting, fatigue, heavy eyelids, high energy, hot spells, numbness, sluggishness, seizure. Mental confusion, excitement, or depression can also occur due to intolerance, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients, or due to overdosage of butalbital.

Autonomic Nervous System: dry mouth, hyperhidrosis.

Gastrointestinal: difficulty swallowing, heartburn, flatulence, constipation.

Cardiovascular: tachycardia.

Musculoskeletal:leg pain, muscle fatigue.

Genitourinary:diuresis.

Miscellaneous:pruritus, fever, earache, nasal congestion, tinnitus, euphoria, allergic reactions.

Several cases of dermatological reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis and erythema multiforme, have been reported. 

The following adverse drug events may be borne in mind as potential effects of the components of this product. Potential effects of high dosage are listed in the OVERDOSAGEsection.

Acetaminophen:allergic reactions, rash, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis.

Caffeine:cardiac stimulation, irritability, tremor, dependence, nephrotoxicity, hyperglycemia.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE EVENTS, contact Quagen Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-888-344-9603 or www.quagenpharma.com, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Abuse and Dependence

Butalbital

Barbiturates may be habit-forming:Tolerance, psychological dependence, and physical dependence may occur especially following prolonged use of high doses of barbiturates. The average daily dose for the barbiturate addict is usually about 1500 mg. As tolerance to barbiturates develops, the amount needed to maintain the same level of intoxication increases; tolerance to a fatal dosage, however, does not increase more than two-fold. As this occurs, the margin between an intoxication dosage and fatal dosage becomes smaller. The lethal dose of a barbiturate is far less if alcohol is also ingested.

Major withdrawal symptoms (convulsions and delirium) may occur within 16 hours and last up to 5 days after abrupt cessation of these drugs. Intensity of withdrawal symptoms gradually declines over a period of approximately 15 days. Treatment of barbiturate dependence consists of cautious and gradual withdrawal of the drug. Barbiturate dependent patients can be withdrawn by using a number of different withdrawal regimens. One method involves initiating treatment at the patient’s regular dosage level and gradually decreasing the daily dosage as tolerated by the patient.

Following an acute overdosage of butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine, toxicity may result from the barbiturate or the acetaminophen. Toxicity due to caffeine is less likely, due to the relatively small amounts in this formulation.

Signs and Symptoms

Toxicity from barbiturate poisoning include drowsiness, confusion, and coma; respiratory depression; hypotension; and hypovolemic shock.

In acetaminophen overdosage: dose-dependent, potentially fatal hepatic necrosis is the most serious adverse effect. Renal tubular necroses, hypoglycemic coma, and coagulation defects may also occur. Early symptoms following a potentially hepatotoxic overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, and general malaise. Clinical and laboratory evidence of hepatic toxicity may not be apparent until 48 to 72 hours post-ingestion.

Acute caffeine poisoning may cause insomnia, restlessness, tremor, and delirium, tachycardia and extrasystoles.

Treatment

A single or multiple overdose with this combination product is a potentially lethal polydrug overdose, and consultation with a regional poison control center is recommended. Immediate treatment includes support of cardiorespiratory function and measures to reduce drug absorption.

Oxygen, intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and other supportive measures should be employed as indicated. Assisted or controlled ventilation should also be considered.

Gastric decontamination with activated charcoal should be administered just prior to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to decrease systemic absorption if acetaminophen ingestion is known or suspected to have occurred within a few hours of presentation. Serum acetaminophen levels should be obtained immediately if the patient presents 4 hours or more after ingestion to assess potential risk of hepatotoxicity; acetaminophen levels drawn less than 4 hours post-ingestion may be misleading. To obtain the best possible outcome, NAC should be administered as soon as possible where impending or evolving liver injury is suspected. Intravenous NAC may be administered when circumstances preclude oral administration. 

Vigorous supportive therapy is required in severe intoxication. Procedures to limit the continuing absorption of the drug must be readily performed since the hepatic injury is dose dependent and occurs early in the course of intoxication.

One or 2 capsules every 4 hours as needed. Total daily dosage should not exceed 6 capsules. Extended and repeated use of this product is not recommended because of the potential for physical dependence.

Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Capsules USP, 50 mg/300 mg/40 mg

Containing: 50 mg butalbital (WARNING: May be habit-forming.), 300 mg acetaminophen, and 40 mg caffeine. Available as hard gelatin capsules with a blue opaque cap and a blue opaque body imprinted with T26 on both cap and body in red, filled with white to off-white powder.

The capsules are supplied in bottles of 100 capsules (NDC 70752-144-10) and 500 capsules (NDC 70752-144-14).

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container. 

Rx only

Manufactured by:
Quagen Pharmaceuticals LLC
West Caldwell, NJ 07006

52018
Rev. 02/24

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
NDC 70752-144-10

Butalbital, Acetaminophen
and Caffeine Capsules USP
50 mg/300 mg/40 mg

100 Capsules
Rx only

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 70752-144-14

Butalbital, Acetaminophen
and Caffeine Capsules USP
50 mg/300 mg/40 mg

500 Capsules
Rx only