Esgic Plus MedFacts

Esgic-Plus

Esgic-Plus is used for:

Relieving tension headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How these medicines work is not completely understood. Acetaminophen works in the brain to relieve pain. Caffeine may work by constricting blood vessels that may cause headaches. Butalbital has a depressant effect that reduces anxiety and causes relaxation.

Do NOT use Esgic-Plus if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Esgic-Plus
• you have the blood disease porphyria
• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Esgic-Plus

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Esgic-Plus . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems, severe kidney problems, severe heart disease, a lung or respiratory tract disease, or difficulty sleeping
• if you have a history of substance abuse or dependence, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Esgic-Plus . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or isoniazid because the risk of side effects, including bleeding and liver problems, may be increased
• Benzodiazepines (eg, chlordiazepoxide), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), narcotic analgesics (eg, morphine), sleeping medicines (eg, temazepam), or sodium oxybate (GHB) because they may increase the risk of Esgic-Plus 's side effects
• Beta-blockers (eg, atenolol), clozapine, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), doxycycline, estrogens (eg, estradiol, oral contraceptives), metronidazole, quinidine, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), or theophylline, because their effectiveness may be decreased by Esgic-Plus

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if this medicine may interact with other medicines that you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Esgic-Plus Usage Guidelines

You should use Esgic-Plus as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Esgic-Plus by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Esgic-Plus and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as you get it remembered. If several hours have passed or if it is almost time for your next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised to do so by your doctor. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Esgic-Plus .

Important safety information on esgic

• Esgic-Plus may cause drowsiness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Esgic-Plus with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Esgic-Plus ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Do NOT take more than the dose recommended by your doctor. Do NOT take it longer than prescribed. However, if you are going to do it, check with your doctor first.
• Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain (or migraine) occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the pain medicine may not work as well.
• Esgic-Plus has acetaminophen in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has acetaminophen in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Esgic-Plus may harm your liver. Your risk may be greater if you drink alcohol while you are using Esgic-Plus . Talk to your doctor before you take this medicine or other pain relievers/fever reducers if you drink more than 3 drinks with alcohol per day.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Esgic-Plus before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Esgic-Plus . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Lab tests, including liver and kidney function, may be performed while you use Esgic-Plus . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Esgic-Plus with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Esgic-Plus should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Esgic-Plus while you are pregnant. Esgic-Plus is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Esgic-Plus .

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Esgic-Plus may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Esgic-Plus stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Some people who use Esgic-Plus for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Esgic-Plus suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include anxiety, muscle twitching, trembling hands and fingers, weakness, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, lightheadedness, or seizures.

Side effects may be caused by Esgic-Plus

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Dizziness; drowsiness; intoxicated feeling; lightheadedness; nausea.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; seizures; severe drowsiness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain; weakness.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include cold or clammy skin; confusion; dark urine; excessive sweating; extremely fast heartbeat; fatigue; lack of alertness; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness; nausea; sleeplessness; slow or shallow breathing; stomach pain; tremor; unusual drowsiness or dizziness; vomiting.

Esgic-Plus storage instructions:

Store Esgic-Plus at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Esgic-Plus out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Esgic-Plus , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Esgic-Plus is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Esgic-Plus . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.