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What is methylergonovine?
Methylergonovine is in a group of drugs called ergot alkaloids. It affects the smooth muscle of a woman's uterus, improving the muscle tone as well as the strength and timing of uterine contractions. Methylergonovine is used just after a baby is born, to help deliver the placenta (also called the "afterbirth"). It is also used to help control bleeding and other uterine problems after childbirth. Methylergonovine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of methylergonovine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);

• seizure (convulsions);

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• pounding heartbeat;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or

• hallucinations.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• leg cramps;

• dizziness;

• ringing in your ears;

• stuffy nose; or

• unpleasant taste in your mouth.

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.

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How should I take methylergonovine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Methylergonovine should not be used for longer than 1 week unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Store methylergonovine at room temperature away from light, moisture, and heat.

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What is the most important information I should know about methylergonovine?
This medication is to be used only after delivery of your baby. Methylergonovine may pass into breast milk in small amounts and could affect a nursing baby. In some cases, you will need to use this medication for up to 1 week after your baby is born. Talk with your doctor about whether you should breast-feed during that time. You may need to use a breast pump to establish and maintain your milk flow until your methylergonovine treatment is finished. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a methylergonovine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, numbness or tingling, muscle twitching, feeling light-headed, fainting, shallow breathing, coldness, or seizure (convulsions).

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect methylergonovine?
Before taking methylergonovine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: zileuton (Zyflo); antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, E.E.S), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (Tao); fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox); clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), voriconazole (Vfend); other ergot medicines such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), or dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray); or

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It is to be used only after delivery of your baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Methylergonovine may pass into breast milk in small amounts and could affect a nursing baby. In some cases, you will need to use this medication for up to 1 week after your baby is born. Talk with your doctor about whether you should breast-feed during that time. You may need to use a breast pump to establish and maintain your milk flow until your methylergonovine treatment is finished.

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What does my medication look like?
Methylergonovine is available with a prescription under the brand name Methergine. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a methylergonovine overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, numbness or tingling, muscle twitching, feeling light-headed, fainting, shallow breathing, coldness, or seizure (convulsions).

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking methylergonovine?
You should not take this medication if you have: high blood pressure; toxemia of pregnancy; or if your baby has not yet been born. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take methylergonovine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It is to be used only after delivery of your baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Methylergonovine may pass into breast milk in small amounts and could affect a nursing baby. In some cases, you will need to use this medication for up to 1 week after your baby is born. Talk with your doctor about whether you should breast-feed during that time. You may need to use a breast pump to establish and maintain your milk flow until your methylergonovine treatment is finished.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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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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