I have found no references to a link between Guillain-Barré syndrome
and Fioricet. Although a few drugs (notably certain vaccines) have
been reported as having a possible connection with Guillain-Barré
syndrome, neither Fioricet nor any of its separate ingredients are
implicated in causing GBS. However, there are reports of
Guillain-Barré Syndrome following a head injury.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a baffling condition whose cause is not
known. It sometimes follows incidents of infection or injury, and may
be an autoimmune reaction.
"Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disorder of the
peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves convey sensory information
(e.g., pain, temperature) from the body to the brain and motor (i.e.,
movement) signals from the brain to the body. GBS is characterized by
weakness and numbness or tingling in the legs and arms, and possible
loss of movement and feeling in the legs, arms, upper body, and
face... Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare disorder; its frequency is
about 1 to 2 cases in every 100,000 people per year. Men and women,
young and old, are equally prone to contracting GBS. Guillain-Barré
syndrome is not hereditary or contagious. What causes GBS is not
known; however, in about half of all cases the onset of the syndrome
follows a viral or bacterial infection... A small number of cases have
been known to occur after a medical procedure, such as minor surgery.
Guillain-Barré syndrome may be an autoimmune disorder in which the
body produces antibodies that damage the myelin sheath that surrounds
peripheral nerves. The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that
surrounds axons. It increases the speed at which signals travel along
the nerves."
NeurologyChannel
http://www.neurologychannel.com/guillain/
"About one half of patients have a history of preceding viral
infection. Guillain-Barré syndrome may also be associated with
immunizations, recent surgery or trauma, pregnancy, Hodgkin's disease
and connective tissue diseases. The most frequently associated viral
agents are cytomegalovirus (CMV), HIV, measles and herpes simplex
virus. A bacteria called Campylobacter jejuni has recently been shown
to be closely related with certain subtypes of the disease... All
variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome are now supposed to be an
autoimmune disease caused by antibodies against a variety of
gangliosides found in abundant amounts in the peripheral nerve
tissue... Approximately 80% of patients have a complete recovery and
about 5-10% recover with severe disability."
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain-Barr%E9_syndrome
"Apart from most cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome following a viral
infection, surgery may also precede the syndrome, but its exact cause
remains unknown... acute illness of any sort precedes Guillain-Barré
Syndrome in approximately two thirds of patients, and that incubation
of the syndrome may be up to 6 weeks. But the average time between
acute illness and onset of GSB is 11 days. The following are acute
illness or incidents that most commonly lead to Guillain-Barré
Syndrome:
Viral infections- influenza, herpes virus, hepatitis, HIV, measles and chickenpox
Bacterial infections- Campylobacter Jejuni, mycoplasma, spirochetal
infections, salmonella, Legionella and tuberculosis
Vaccination- rabies and bacille Calmette Guérin, tetanus, smallpox and
hepatitis B vaccinations
Systemic disease- cancer and lymphoma, autoimmune and
collagen-vascular disease and sarcoidosis
Pregnancy-commonly in the third trimester
Surgery and spinal epidural anaesthesia
Parry, 1993, notes trauma of any sort may lead to Guillain-Barré
Syndrome as they cause the release of previously sequestered myelin
antigens' into circulation."
Curtin University of Technology: Department of Podiatry
http://www.podiatry.curtin.edu.au/encyclopedia/guillain/guillain_barre_syndrome.html
The medication you've mentioned, Fioricet, is a combination of a
barbiturate, acetaminophen (the active ingredient of Tylenol), and
caffeine.
"Fioricet is a non-narcotic pain medication, often prescribed for
tension headaches and migraines. Fioricet is a barbiturate
(butalbital), mixed with acetaminophen and caffeine. Acetaminophen is
a pain reliever and fever reducer. Caffeine is believed to constrict
dilated blood vessels that may contribute to tension headaches."
Fioricet Online
http://www.fioricet-online.biz/
Here you'll find a list of adverse side-effects associated with Fioricet:
RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/esgic_ad.htm
Some medical abstracts which mention head injury as a possible
causative agent of GBS:
"Guillain-Barre syndrome and head trauma. Case report.
De Freitas GR, De Freitas MR, Ferreira MC.
Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro,
Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Brasil.
The authors report the case of a 29 years old male patient presenting
classical Guillain-Barre syndrome following head trauma. Only one
other similar case is described in the literature. Head trauma as a
precipitating event of the disease is discussed."
PubMed
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9629394
"Guillain-Barre syndrome following acute head trauma.
Duncan R, Kennedy PG.
Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
A case of classical Guillain-Barre syndrome following acute head
trauma is described. The association of Guillain-Barre syndrome with
head injury per se is not well recognized, and a possible
immunological explanation is proposed."
PubMed
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=3432176
These sites will be useful if you would like to learn more about GBS:
MedLine Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/guillainbarresyndrome.html
GBS Links
http://www.geocities.com/westshape/gbslinks.htm
Google Directory: Guillain-Barre Syndrome
http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/Neurological_Disorders/Demyelinating_Diseases/Guillain-Barre_Syndrome/
Search terms used:
fioricet + guillain barré OR barre syndrome
butalbital + guillain barré OR barre syndrome
head injury + guillain barré OR barre syndrome
head trauma + guillain barré OR barre syndrome
cause + guillain barré OR barre syndrome
drug-induced neuropathy OR neuropathies
I hope this helps. Keep in mind that Google Answers is not a source of
authoritative medical advice; the material I've posted above is for
informational purposes, and should not be regarded as a diagnosis, nor
as a substitute for the services of a qualified medical professional.
If anything is unclear, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
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