There are now several drugs on the market, both prescription and non prescription, in which caffeine is blended with one or more drugs to create effective “combination” pain relievers.
For example, in Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine (sold here as Butalbital / APAP / CAFF, but also called Fioricet) each of the three active ingredients plays a different role:
1. Butalbital is a powerful barbiturate sedative with muscle relaxing and anti-anxiety properties. It helps calm the brain.
2. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) relieves pain, eases inflammation and brings down fevers. It also boosts the potency of the Butalbital so less is needed.
3. Caffeine constricts swollen blood vessels to relieve pain and pressure.
That triple action is why Fioricet / Butalbital, Acetaminophen and Caffeine is often prescribed for people who suffer from tension headaches or migraines.
Here are some other common questions and answers about the effects of caffeine in pain relievers like Fioricet.
Q and A About Caffeine and Pain Relief
Q: If caffeine is a pain reliever, couldn’t I just drink coffee to get rid of my headaches?
A: It depends on what kind of headaches you get and how bad they are, but the caffeine in coffee may actually provide you with some pain relief.