ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ergomar

GENERIC NAME(S): ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE

Description: Ergotamine causes constriction of peripheral and cranial blood vessels and contracts the uterus. It also reduces hyperperfusion in the basilar artery territory.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Poorly absorbed from the GI tract (oral, sublingual), decreased further by gastric stasis.
Distribution: Enters breast milk.
Metabolism: Extensive hepatic first-pass effect.
Excretion: Via bile (as metabolites), via urine (4%); elimination T_1/2 (biphasic): 2 hr (initial phase), 21 hr (terminal phase).

Uses

This combination medication treats or prevents vascular headaches such as migraine headaches and cluster headaches. It reduces the throbbing effects of vascular headaches by narrowing enlarged blood vessels in the brain.

How to use ergotamine tartrate sublingual

Place one tablet under the tongue, allowing it to dissolve as directed by your doctor. Do not chew or swallow the tablet. Do not eat or drink while the tablet is dissolving in your mouth.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. This medication works best if it is taken as the first signs of the headache occur. If you wait until the headache has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

This medication usually should be taken only as needed. It is not meant for long-term daily use. The maximum dose is 3 tablets in any 24-hour period and 5 tablets in any 7-day period.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time (more than a few weeks) or in high doses. In such cases, rebound headaches may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. This headache may be different from your original headache and may last a few days. Report any such headaches to your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

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

Warnings

This medication has rarely caused a very serious lack of blood flow to the hands and feet (peripheral ischemia) or to the brain, which could cause a stroke.

Side Effects

Notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly if nausea, vomiting, and dizziness persist or worsen.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

slow/fast/irregular heartbeat
tingling/pain/coldness in the fingers/toes
whitish fingers/toes/nails
loss of feeling in the fingers/toes
bluish hands/feet
muscle pain/weakness
severe stomach/abdominal pain
lower back pain
little or no urine

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

chest pain
vision changes
confusion
slurred speech

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

Allergic reaction to this medication
Patients with:
- blood circulation disease (e.g., peripheral vascular disease such as arteriosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, Raynaud’s disease)
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- nutrient deficiency (malnutrition)
- heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, recent heart attack)
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- severe infection
- severe itching

Patients with medical history of smoking/tobacco use, diabetes or high blood pressure (controlled).
Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Do not use tobacco while taking this medication.
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug.

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions

Separate your “triptan” dose from your dose of this medication to reduce the risk of serious side effects.

Other drugs that can affect the removal of ergotamine from your body. Examples include:

boceprevir
cobicistat
mifepristone
telaprevir
macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin)
HIV NNRTIs (such as delavirdine)
HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir)
SSRIs (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine)
azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole)
certain antidepressants (such as nefazodone)

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, other migraine medications) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/drowsiness, loss of feeling in the fingers/toes, rapid/weak heartbeat, bluish hands/feet, seizures.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Certain foods/beverages or food additives (e.g., red wine, cheese, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, alcohol) as well as some lifestyle patterns (e.g., irregular eating/sleeping habits, stress) may bring about a migraine headache. Avoiding these “triggers” may help decrease the frequency of migraine headaches. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and heat. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands

There are no brands containing this molecule.