• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
ERGOTAMINE (er GOT a meen) is part of a group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. It is used to treat vascular headaches or migraines.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• cold, discolored hands or feet
• confusion
• decrease in the amount of urine passed
• fast or slow heartbeat
• fever
• high blood pressure
• itching
• muscle pains
• numbness, tingling in fingers, toes
• swelling of ankles, feet, hands
• weakness in the legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to completely dissolve. Do NOT chew or swallow the tablet. Follow the directions on the prescription label. For best results take this medicine at the start of a migraine headache. Do not take this medicine every day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply; this medicine is not for regular use.

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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
• conivaptan
• grapefruit juice
• herbal supplements with Ephedra, Ma huang, feverfew
• isoproterenol
• medicines for colds, congestion
• medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole
• medicines for migraines or nausea like eletriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
• medicines or herbal products to decrease weight or appetite
• other ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine
• some medicines for HIV

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• clotrimazole
• fluconazole
• fluoxetine
• metronidazole
• nefazodone
• nicotine in chewing tobacco, cigarettes
• propanolol
• zileuton

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known or suspected pregnancy.
• Concomitant therapy with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. (See Interactions.)
• Peripheral vascular disease, CHD, or hypertension.
• Impaired hepatic or renal function.
• Sepsis.
• Known hypersensitivity to ergot alkaloids or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Check with your doctor or health care professional if you do not get relief from your headaches after using this medicine. You may need to be changed to a different kind of medicine to treat your headaches.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase drowsiness, dizziness and flushing. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine decreases the circulation of blood to your skin, fingers, and toes. You may get more sensitive to the cold. Elderly patients are more likely to feel this effect. Dress warmly and avoid long exposure to the cold.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• chest pain or difficulty breathing
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• infection
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• poor circulation
• risk factors for heart disease such as smoking
• an unusual or allergic reaction to ergotamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you are taking an analgesic for pain and you are no longer experiencing the pain you may stop using the medication. In general, pain medications are to be used on an ?as needed? basis.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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