Ergotamine is used to treat migraine headaches. It helps to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with a migraine headache.
Take Ergotamine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine may be taken with or without food.
Do not swallow, chew or crush the tablet; it must be placed under your tongue to be effective.
Take Ergotamine only when you have a migraine attack. Do not take this medicine if you do not have a migraine attack.
Ergotamine should be taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. If your migraine headache does not go away after taking the first dose, do not take a second dose without first asking your doctor. If your doctor says that you can take a second dose, wait for at least half an hour from the time you took the first dose before taking the second dose.
Do not take more than 6 mg of Ergotamine in a 24-hour period.
Do not take more than 10 mg of Ergotamine in one week.
Alert your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- heart disease
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- blood circulation problems
as Ergotamine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Ergotamine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Ergotamine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with Ergotamine.
Do not take this medicine with other migraine medicines, certain antibiotics and medicines to treat fungal infection and HIV infection. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Ergotamine should not be taken to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks.
Alert your doctor if you frequently have migraine attacks which require you to take this medicine.
Ergotamine is not a painkiller. Do not take this medicine for any other purpose other than to relieve a migraine headache.
Ergotamine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects of Ergotamine include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain or stiffness and muscle weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- chest pain
- irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- numbness or tingling of the fingers and toes that is severe or does not go away
- nausea or vomiting that is severe or does not go away
- breathlessness
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Ergotamine with the following medicines:
- other migraine medicines e.g. eletriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan zolmitriptan or those which contains dihydroergotamine or methysergide
- antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines for HIV infections e.g. ritonavir, saquinavir
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for depression e.g. reboxitine
- heart or blood pressure medicines e.g. propranolol
- cimetidine (medicine to neutralise stomach acid)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ergotamine.
Always notify the doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Certain types of food and food additives such as chocolate, cheese, coffee and monosodium glutamate (MSG) may trigger a migraine attack. You may want to keep a diary to help you identify possible foods that trigger off your attacks.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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