Arcet

A methylxanthine naturally occurring in some beverages and also used as a pharmacological agent. Arcet&

Arcet is indicated for the relief of the symptom complex of tension (or muscle contraction) headache.

Evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of Arcet in the treatment of multiple recurrent headaches is unavailable. Caution in this regard is required because Butalbital (Arcet) is habit-forming and potentially abusable.

Arcet contains a combination of Arcet Acetaminophen (Arcet) is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Butalbital (Arcet) is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. It relaxes muscle contractions involved in a tension headache. Caffeine (Arcet) is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Arcet is used to treat tension headaches that are caused by muscle contractions.

Arcet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Usual Adult Dose of Arcet for Headache:

Acetaminophen (Arcet) 300 mg, Butalbital (Arcet) 50 mg, and Caffeine (Arcet) 40 mg:

1 or 2 capsule(s) orally every 4 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 6 doses.

Acetaminophen (Arcet) 325 mg, Butalbital (Arcet) 50 mg, and Caffeine (Arcet) 40 mg:

1 or 2 tablet(s), capsule(s), or tablespoonful(s) orally every 4 hours.

Maximum daily dose: 6 doses

Acetaminophen (Arcet) 500 mg, Butalbital (Arcet) 50 mg, and Caffeine (Arcet) 40 mg:

1 tablet or capsule orally every 4 hours.

Maximum daily dose: 6 doses

Acetaminophen (Arcet) 750 mg, Butalbital (Arcet) 50 mg, and Caffeine (Arcet) 40 mg:

1 tablet orally every 4 hours.

Maximum daily dose: 5 tablets

Usual Pediatric Dose of Arcet for Headache:

12 years and older:

Acetaminophen (Arcet) 300 mg, Butalbital (Arcet) 50 mg, and Caffeine (Arcet) 40 mg:

1 or 2 capsule(s) orally every 4 hours as needed. Maximum daily dose: 6 doses.

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Arcet?

Arcet is contraindicated under the following conditions:

− Hypersensitivity or intolerance to any component of this product.

− Patients with porphyria.

Use Arcet as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Arcet by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• If you have been taking Arcet regularly or for longer than a few weeks, do not suddenly stop taking it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually lower your dose.
• If you miss a dose of Arcet and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Arcet.

This combination medication is used to treat tension headaches. Acetaminophen (Arcet) helps to decrease the pain from the headache. Caffeine (Arcet) helps increase the effects of Acetaminophen (Arcet). Butalbital (Arcet) is a sedative that helps to decrease anxiety and cause sleepiness and relaxation.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This medication may also be used to treat migraine headaches.

How to use Arcet

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually every 4 hours as needed.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. This medication works best if it is used as the first signs of a headache occur. If you wait until the headache has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as nausea/vomiting, mental/mood changes, seizures) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Report any withdrawal reactions right away.

Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.

Tell your doctor if you notice increased use of this medication, a worsening of headaches, an increase in the number of headaches, the medication not working as well, or use of this medication for more than 2 headache episodes a week. Do not take more than recommended. Your doctor may need to change your medication and/or add a separate medication to prevent the headaches.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Arcet?

Cytochrome P450 1A₂ (CYP1A₂) is known to be the major enzyme involved in the metabolism of Caffeine (Arcet). Therefore, Caffeine (Arcet) has the potential to interact with drugs that are substrates for CYP1A₂, inhibit CYP1A₂, or induce CYP1A₂.

Few data exist on drug interactions with Caffeine (Arcet) in preterm neonates. Based on adult data, lower doses of Caffeine (Arcet) may be needed following coadministration of drugs which are reported to decrease Caffeine (Arcet) elimination (e.g., cimetidine and ketoconazole) and higher Caffeine (Arcet) doses may be needed following coadministration of drugs that increase Caffeine (Arcet) elimination (e.g., phenobarbital and phenytoin).

Arcet administered concurrently with ketoprofen reduced the urine volume in 4 healthy volunteers. The clinical significance of this interaction in preterm neonates is not known.

Interconversion between Caffeine (Arcet) and theophylline has been reported in preterm neonates. The concurrent use of these drugs is not recommended.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Arcet?

Applies to Acetaminophen (Arcet) / Butalbital (Arcet) / Caffeine (Arcet): oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet

Warning

Oral route (Capsule)

Liver failure, sometimes associated with liver transplant or fatalities, has occurred with Acetaminophen (Arcet) use. These cases of liver injury were often associated with the use of more than 1 Acetaminophen (Arcet)-based product and with total daily Acetaminophen (Arcet) doses exceeding 4000 mg.

Along with its needed effects, Arcet may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking Acetaminophen (Arcet) / Butalbital (Arcet) / Caffeine (Arcet):

More common

• Lightheadedness
• shortness of breath

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• change in the frequency of urination or amount of urine
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• flushed or dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seizures
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sweating
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• troubled breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking Acetaminophen (Arcet) / Butalbital (Arcet) / Caffeine (Arcet):

Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion as to time, place, or person
• dark urine
• difficult or painful urination
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hallucinations
• headache
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• increased sweating
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• restlessness
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects of Acetaminophen (Arcet) / Butalbital (Arcet) / Caffeine (Arcet) may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Relaxed and calm
• sleepiness

Incidence not known

• Anxiety
• bloated
• constipation
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• depression
• earache
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• full feeling
• hearing loss
• heartburn
• heavy eyelids
• high energy
• hot spells
• hyperventilation
• irritability
• numbness
• pain in the leg
• passing gas
• sluggishness
• stuffy nose
• tingling sensation