Butalbital

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Butalbital
Systematic (IUPAC) name
5-(2-methylpropyl)-5-(2-propenyl)-
2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-pyrimidinetrione
Identifiers
CAS number 77-26-9
ATC code none
PubChem 2481
DrugBank APRD00266
ChemSpider 2387
Chemical data
Formula C11H16N2O3 
Mol. mass 224.256
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability well absorbed
Metabolism hepatic
Half life 35 hours
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

D(US)

Legal status

Schedule III(US)

Routes oral

Butalbital, structure presents as 5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with an intermediate duration of action. It has the same chemical formula as talbutal but a different structure. Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or aspirin, and is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pain and headache. The various formulations combined with codeine are FDA approved for the treatment of tension headaches.

Combinations include:

[edit] Side effects

Side effects for any drug are difficult to predict, but commonly reported side effects for butalbital include:

Fioricet (50/40/325)

There are other potential side effects; this list should not be considered all-inclusive.

[edit] Dangers and Risks

Butalbital is a physically and psychologically addictive barbiturate. Butalbital should not be mixed with alcohol due to increased risk of intoxication, increased respiratory depression, and increased liver toxicity when it is a butalbital combination including paracetamol. Many opioid-dependent persons frequently use Barbiturates as a potentiator to their normal dose (whether it be Heroin, Vicodin or Demerol) of what would be normally considered an average harmless dose. Especially when used with the stronger Schedule II narcotics, suicide or accidental death occurs much more frequently than first reported. Use of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other CNS-depressants often also contribute to respiratory depression, coma, and in extreme cases fatality. There are other potential risks; this list should not be considered all-inclusive.

[edit] External links

"Butalbital". On-line Medical Dictionary. http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=butalbital&action=Search+OMD. Retrieved on June 26 2005.  "Butalbital and Acetaminophen (Systemic)". MedicinePlus Drug Information. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202102.html. Retrieved on December 31 2006.  "Controlled Substances in Schedule III". Drug Enforcement Administration. 2007. http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/listby_sched/sched3.htm. Retrieved on 2007-01-13. 


Personal tools
Languages