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Headache Medicines, Ergot Derivative-Containing (Systemic)
Category- Antihypotensive
- Thrombosis prophylaxis adjunct
- Vascular headache suppressant
DescriptionDihydroergotamine and ergotamine belong to the
group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. They are used to treat severe,
throbbing headaches, such as migraine and cluster headaches. Dihydroergotamine
and ergotamine are not ordinary pain relievers. They will not relieve any
kind of pain other than throbbing headaches. Because these medicines can cause
serious side effects, they are usually used for patients whose headaches are
not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.
Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine may cause blood vessels in the body to
constrict (become narrower). This effect can lead to serious side effects
that are caused by a decrease in the flow of blood (blood circulation) to
many parts of the body.
The caffeine present in many ergotamine-containing combinations helps ergotamine
work better and faster by causing more of it to be quickly absorbed into the
body. The belladonna alkaloids, dimenhydrinate, and diphenhydramine in some
combinations help to relieve nausea and vomiting, which often occur together
with the headaches. Dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, and pentobarbital also
help the patient relax and even sleep. This also helps relieve headaches.
Dihydroergotamine is also used for other conditions, as determined by your
doctor.
These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, in
the following dosage forms:
Oral
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Ergotamine
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Sublingual tablets (U.S.)
-
Ergotamine and Caffeine
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Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Dimenhydrinate
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Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Diphenhydramine
Parenteral
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Dihydroergotamine
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Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Rectal
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Ergotamine and Caffeine
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Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
-
Ergotamine, Caffeine, Belladonna Alkaloids, and Pentobarbital
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
- Belcomp-PB 5
- Cafergot 3
- D.H.E. 45 1
- Ergocaff-PB 5
- Ergomar 2
- Migergot 3
- Migracet-PB 5
- Wigraine 3
In Canada—
- Cafergot 3
- D.H.E. 1
- Ergodryl 8
- Gravergol 7
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Note:
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For quick reference, the following ergot derivative-containing
headache medicines are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
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| This information applies to the following medicines: |
| 1. |
Dihydroergotamine (dye-hye-droe-er-GOT-a-meen) |
| 2. |
Ergotamine (er-GOT-a-meen)† |
| 3. |
Ergotamine and Caffeine (er-GOT-a-meen and kaf-EEN)‡ |
| 4. |
Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Belladonna Alkaloids (er-GOT-a-meen,
kaf-EEN, and bell-a-DON-a AL-ka-loids)*† |
| 5. |
Ergotamine, Caffeine, Belladonna Alkaloids, and Pentobarbital (er-GOT-a-meen,
kaf-EEN, bell-a-DON-a AL-ka-loids, andpen-toe-BAR-bi-tal)† |
| 6. |
Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Cyclizine (er-GOT-a-meen, kaf-EEN, and
SYE-kli-zeen)*† |
| 7. |
Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Dimenhydrinate (er-GOT-a-meen, kaf-EEN,
and dye-men-HYE-dri-nate)* |
| 8. |
Ergotamine, Caffeine, and Diphenhydramine (er-GOT-a-meen, kaf-EEN,
and dye-fen-HYE-dra-mine)* |
| * Not commercially available in the U.S. |
| † Not commercially available in Canada |
| ‡ Generic name product may be available
in the U.S. |
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Date Revised: 02/20/2004
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