Type of medicine: antimigraine
Generic and brand names: ergotamine and caffeine, oral; ergotamine and caffeine, rectal; ergotamine, oral; ergotamine, rectal; ergotamine, sublingual; Cafergot; Ergomar; Migergot
This medicine is taken by mouth or given by suppository to prevent or relieve the pain of migraine headaches and other types of throbbing headaches in progress.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
If you take this medicine with certain drugs that affect the liver, it can have very serious effects on blood supply to the hands, feet, and brain. This medicine may interact with many other medicines. Tell your provider all prescription and nonprescription medicines you take. Do not start or stop any medicine unless you check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist first.
Females of childbearing age: Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Use an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. It is not taken on a regular schedule.
If you have the sublingual tablets, place a tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve slowly. Do not chew or swallow the tablets whole. Do not take more than 2 tablets for any single migraine attack. Do not take more than 5 sublingual tablets during a 7-day period unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
If you have the suppository form, first remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with water. If the suppository is too soft to insert easily, run cold water over it or put it in ice water until it is firm. If it is too dry or hard, moisten it with warm water. Lie on your left side and bend your right knee up toward your chest. Gently push the suppository into your rectum deep enough so that it will not come out. Do not use more than 2 suppositories during one migraine attack and no more than 5 suppositories during a 7-day period unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
If you have the tablets that you swallow whole, do not take more than 6 tablets during one migraine attack and no more than 10 tablets during a 7-day period unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
Do not use any other medicine for migraines within 24 hours of using this medicine.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, weakness, muscle pain, numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes, drowsiness, confusion, seizures.
Check with your healthcare provider if your migraine headaches get worse, or if the medicine does not seem to work as well as it did when you first started using it.
Do not smoke while using this medicine. Smoking may increase your risk of side effects.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures. Dress warmly during cold weather and avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
This medicine may contain caffeine. You may want to limit the use of other medicines, foods, or drinks that contain caffeine while taking this product.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Vision problems, numbness or tingling of fingers or toes, cold hands or feet, muscle pain or weakness in arms or legs, unexplained swelling, skin blisters, chest pain, fast or slow heartbeat.
Other: Dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rectal irritation (with use of suppositories).
Taking this medicine while you are taking other medicine or can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines:
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
If suppositories are too soft, you may store them in the refrigerator.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
