What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of an ergotamine overdose include nausea, vomiting, weakness, muscle pain,
numbness in your fingers or toes, gangrene, itching, confusion, drowsiness, convulsions, and possibly
death.
What should I avoid while taking ergotamine?
Do not take more than three tablets in a 24-hour period. Do not take more than five tablets in 7
days. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of ergotamine?
Stop taking ergotamine 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 ergotamine
and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or vomiting.
Ergotamine 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 treatment with ergotamine 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 ergotamine?
Some medications may increase the risk of dangerously decreased blood flow to the brain,
heart, or extremities when taken with ergotamine. In rare but severe cases, gangrene or other serious
problems can result. The following drugs should not be taken with ergotamine 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), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), rizatriptan (Maxalt),
or naratriptan (Amerge)--these medicines must not be taken within 24 hours of a dose of
ergotamine;
-
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as
citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), or
paroxetine (Paxil);
-
a beta-blocker (medicines 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 antifungal 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 ergotamine. 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 ergotamine written for health professionals that
you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Ergotamine is available with a prescription under the brand names Ergostat and Ergomar. 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.
-
Ergostat 2 mg--sublingual, orange tablets
-
Ergomar 2 mg-round, green tablets
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.
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