No

Ergot Derivative

Prophylaxis of vascular headache

X

Peripheral vascular disease, severe arteriosclerosis, pulmonary disease, severe hypertension, phlebitis, serious infections, pregnancy

Patients receiving long-term therapy may develop retroperitoneal fibrosis, pleuropulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic thickening of the cardiac valves. Fibrosis occurs rarely when therapy is interrupted for 3-4 weeks every 6 months. Use caution in patients with impairment of renal of hepatic function; some products may contain tartrazine.

>10%:

Cardiovascular: Postural hypotension, peripheral ischemia

Central nervous system: Insomnia

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Peripheral edema, tachycardia, bradycardia

Dermatologic: Rash

Gastrointestinal: Heartburn

Symptoms of overdose include hyperactivity, limb spasms, impaired mental function, and impaired circulation. Treatment is supportive.

Beta-blockers may cause peripheral ischemia

Ergotamine congener, however actions appear to differ; methysergide has minimal ergotamine-like oxytocic or vasoconstrictive properties, and has significantly greater serotonin-like properties

Serum half-life, plasma elimination: ~10 hours

Adults: Oral: 4-8 mg/day with meals; if no improvement is noted after 3 weeks, drug is unlikely to be beneficial; must not be given continuously for longer than 6 months, and a drug-free interval of 3-4 weeks must follow each 6-month course

May be administered with food or milk

Insomnia is common; may rarely cause drowsiness, euphoria, depression, or confusion

None reported

No information available to require special precautions

No effects or complications reported

This drug is meant to prevent migraine headaches, not treat acute attacks. Take as directed; do not take more than recommended and do not discontinue without consulting prescriber (must be discontinued slowly). You may experience weight gain (monitor dietary intake and exercise) or dizziness or vertigo (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known). Small frequent meals may reduce nausea or vomiting. Diarrhea will lessen with use. Report cold, numb, tingling, or painful extremities or leg cramps, chest pain, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, or pain on urination. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are pregnant. Do not get pregnant during or for 1 month following therapy. Consult prescriber for instruction on appropriate barrier contraceptive measures. This drug may cause severe fetal defects. Do not breast-feed.

Advise patient to make position changes slowly

Tablet, as maleate: 2 mg