$Unique_ID{BRK01945}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ERGOTAMINE}
$Subject{Ergomar (Fisons)
Ergostat (Parke-Davis)
Medihaler Ergotamine (Riker)
Wigrettes (Organon)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ERGOTAMINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Ergomar (Fisons)
     Ergostat (Parke-Davis)
     Medihaler Ergotamine (Riker)
     Wigrettes (Organon)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antimigraine (vasoconstrictor)
INGREDIENT:
     ergotamine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Sublingual tablets (2 mg)
     Aerosol (0.36 mg per spray)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed,
       light-resistant containers.
     The container of the aerosol is pressurized; it should, therefore, never
       be punctured or broken.  It should also be stored away from heat and
       direct sunlight.

USES

     This medication is used to treat migraine and cluster headaches.  These
headaches are thought to be caused by an increase in the diameter of the blood
vessels in the head, which results in increased blood flow, increased
pressure, and pain.  Ergotamine is a vasoconstrictor; it acts by constricting
(narrowing) the blood vessels.

TREATMENT

     It is best to take this medication as soon as you notice your migraine
headache symptoms.  If you wait until the headache becomes severe, the drug
takes longer to work and may not be as effective.
     After you take either of these forms of ergotamine, you should try to lie
down in a quiet, dark room for at least two hours (in order to help the
medication work).  The drug usually takes effect in 30 to 60 minutes.
     It is very important that you understand how often you can repeat a dose
of this medication during an attack (usually every 30 to 60 minutes for the
sublingual tablets, and every five minutes for the aerosol spray) and the
maximum amount of medication you can take per day (usually three sublingual
tablets or six inhalations).  Five is generally the maximum number of
sublingual tablets and 15 is about the maximum number of inhalations that can
be taken in any one-week period.  CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR if you have any
questions.
     The sublingual tablets should be placed under your tongue.  DO NOT
swallow these tablets--they are more efficiently absorbed through the lining
of the mouth than from the gastrointestinal tract.  Try not to eat, drink,
chew, or smoke while the tablet is dissolving.
     The aerosol form of this medication comes packaged with instructions for
use.  Read the directions carefully; if you have any questions, check with
your doctor or pharmacist.  The aerosol can should be shaken well just before
each dose is sprayed.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
container, so it should be shaken to disperse the medication and equalize the
doses.  The container provides about 300 measured sprays.
     If you are on prolonged treatment with this drug and you miss a dose,
take it as soon as you remember.  Wait four hours to take the next dose.  It
is very important that you consult your doctor before you discontinue using
this drug.  Your doctor may want to reduce your dosage gradually.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or sensation of cold
hands and feet with MILD numbness or tingling.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     The aerosol form of ergotamine can cause hoarseness or throat irritation.
Gargling or rinsing your mouth out with water after taking the dose may help
prevent this side effect.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
chest pain; coldness, numbness, pain, tingling, or dark discoloration of the
fingers or toes; confusion; fluid retention; itching; localized swelling;
muscle pain; severe abdominal pain and swelling; or unusual weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Ergotamine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Ergotamine interacts with amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine
(adrenaline), pseudoephedrine, erythromycin, and troleandomycin.  Such
combinations can lead to increases in blood pressure or increased risk of
adverse reaction to ergotamine.
     2. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking this medication.
Since alcohol dilates (widens) the blood vessels (which are already dilated
during migraine headaches), drinking will only make your headache worse.
     3. Ergotamine interacts with marijuana to produce cold sensations in the
arms and legs or even persistent chill.
     4. Nicotine and cocaine decrease the effectiveness of ergotamine and,
therefore, make the headache worse.
     5. The caffeine in tea, coffee, and cola drinks also interacts with this
medication.  It may actually help to relieve your headache.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications or substances you are
currently taking or using, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to ergotamine or other ergot alkaloids (such as
ergonovine or bromocriptine).
     * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
you now have or if you have ever had heart or blood vessel disease, high blood
pressure, infections, kidney disease, liver disease, or thyroid disease.
     * Avoid any foods to which you are allergic--they may make your headache
worse.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * Try to avoid exposure to cold.  Since this drug acts by constricting
blood vessels throughout the body, your fingers and toes may become especially
sensitive to the cold.
     * This medication should not be taken for longer periods or in higher
doses than recommended by your doctor.  Extended use of this drug can lead to
serious side effects.  In addition, tolerance can develop--higher doses would
be required to obtain the same beneficial effects (at the same time increasing
the risk of side effects).
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Ergotamine can cause
contractions of the uterus, which can harm the developing fetus.  This drug
should not be used during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Ergotamine passes into breast milk and may cause
vomiting, diarrhea, or convulsions in the nursing infant.

MONEY-SAVING TIP

     Save the inhaler piece from the aerosol container.  Refill units, which
are less expensive, are available.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
