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What should I avoid while taking dihydroergotamine?

Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, see your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of dihydroergotamine?

Stop taking dihydroergotamine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience.

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• chest pain;

• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes;

• muscle pain in the arms or legs;

• leg weakness;

• changes in heart rate;

• swelling; or

• itching.

Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take dihydroergotamine and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or vomiting.

Dihydroergotamine may be habit forming when used for long periods of time. Larger doses may be needed for headache relief, and withdrawal effects may occur when ergotamine therapy is stopped.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect dihydroergotamine?

Some medications may increase the risk of dangerously decreased blood flow to the brain, heart, or extremities when taken with dihydroergotamine. In rare but severe cases, gangrene or other serious problems can result. The following drugs should not be taken with dihydroergotamine or should be used only under the close supervision of a doctor:

• another medication that contains an ergot compound such as Ergomar, D.H.E., or D.H.E. Nasal;

• another migraine headache medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or naratriptan (Amerge)--these medicines must not be taken within 24 hours of a dose of dihydroergotamine;

• a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil);

• a beta-blocker (which are used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and other heart conditions) such as carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren);

• an HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase);

• the antibiotics erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);

• the antifungals medicines itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• nefazodone (Serzone);

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or

• sibutramine (Meridia).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dihydroergotamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about dihydroergotamine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Dihydroergotamine is available with a prescription under the brand name D.H.E. in 1 mg per 1 mL ampules for injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.