How much caffeine is in butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet)?

One capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) contains 40 mg of caffeine.

That's about half a cup of brewed coffee, and 10% of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults.

Source: DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · checked 10 Nov 2026

When did you take it?

Taken at 3 pm, about 14 mg is still in you at an 11 pm bedtime. That should not affect most people’s sleep.

Bedtime

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Latest time to take it

For an 11 pm bedtime, one capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) stays under the 50 mg most people sleep fine with, even late in the evening. The table works it out for other bedtimes and for how sensitive you are: it is the latest time to take one so that the caffeine left stays under the line all night.

Bedtime	Very sensitive under 25 mg	Average under 50 mg	Not very sensitive under 100 mg
9 pm	5:10 pm	Any time	Any time
10 pm	6:10 pm	Any time	Any time
11 pm	7:10 pm	Any time	Any time
Midnight	8:10 pm	Any time	Any time
1 am	9:10 pm	Any time	Any time

One unit as listed on the label, average clearance (half-life 5 h), 8 hours of sleep. "Any time" means even one at bedtime stays under the line. Follow the label or ask your pharmacist about how much and how often to take it; this table is only about sleep.

How long it lasts

The caffeine from one capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) peaks in your blood about 70 minutes after you take it, at roughly 34 mg. Half of it is gone in about 5 hours for an average adult; that ranges from roughly 3 to 7 hours, and longer in pregnancy or with some medicines.

Time after	3 hours	6 hours	9 hours	12 hours
Still in you	28 mg	18 mg	12 mg	8 mg

So one taken at 3 pm leaves about 14 mg at 11 pm. How long caffeine lasts explains the curve.

How it compares

Butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) is stronger than 9% of the 34 supplements and medicines we track, by caffeine per serving.

To reach 400 mg in a day you would need about 10 of these.

Less caffeine

Bayer Back & Body 33 mg, 1 caplet
Goody's Extra Strength Headache Powder 33 mg, 1 powder packet
Anacin 32 mg, 1 tablet

More caffeine

Midol Complete 60 mg, 1 caplet
BC Powder 65 mg, 1 powder packet
Excedrin Extra Strength 65 mg, 1 caplet

FAQ

Is butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) high in caffeine?

It is moderate. One capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) contains 40 mg, which is 42% of the 95 mg in an 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee.

Can I take butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) at night?

For most people, yes: even late in the evening one capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) stays under 50 mg at an 11 pm bedtime.

How long does the caffeine in butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) last?

It peaks about 70 minutes after you take it. Of the 40 mg, about 18 mg is still in you 6 hours later and 8 mg after 12 hours, for an average adult with a 5-hour half-life.

Does butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) have more caffeine than a cup of coffee?

No. One capsule of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine (Fioricet) contains 40 mg; an 8 fl oz cup of coffee has 95 mg.

Method and limits

The caffeine figure comes from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine); it is the amount the label lists per unit. The curves use a standard one-compartment model with an average 5-hour half-life and a sleep-friendly line of 50 mg; your own body may clear caffeine faster or slower. How it works has the details.

These are estimates for information, not medical advice. This is a medicine: follow the label and ask your pharmacist or doctor about dosing.