• Doctors prescribe Fioricet to relieve tension headaches.pills image by Bradlee Mauer from Fotolia.com
  
  Fioricet is one of a number of drugs prescribed by doctors to relieve tension headaches. It is offered in capsule or tablet form to be taken orally. The combination of acetaminophen, butalbital and caffeine that makes up the drug can be found under eight different brand names, including Fioricet.
  
  

Acetaminophen

• Acetaminophen works to reduce fever and relieve pain.
  
  

Butalbital

• Butalbital is a barbiturate and works as a muscle relaxer to reduce muscle contractions in a headache.
  
  

Caffeine

• A central nervous system stimulant, caffeine improves blood flow by relaxing muscle contractions in blood vessels.