Ergotamine - Sublingual

Ergotamine is used to treat migraine (severe throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound).

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.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Ergotamine must be placed under your tongue to be effective. It is absorbed into your body through the lining of your mouth. Do not swallow, chew, or crush the tablet.

Take this medicine only when you have a migraine attack.

Ergotamine should be taken at the first sign of a migraine. If your migraine 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 30 minutes from the time you took the first dose before taking the second dose.

Inform your doctor if this medicine does not give you any relief.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• peripheral vascular disease (narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain causing poor blood circulation to the arms and legs)
• heart problems e.g. coronary heart disease (narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart)
• high blood pressure
• severe infection
• liver disease
• kidney disease

as Ergotamine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Ergotamine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking Ergotamine.

Do not take Ergotamine with certain medicines used to treat fungal infections, HIV infection, or certain antibiotics. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Ergotamine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Avoid long-term use of this medicine.

Ergotamine should not be taken to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks.

Your doctor may need to do a medical examination and various tests before starting you on this medicine.

Ergotamine is not a painkiller. Do not take it for any other purpose other than to relieve a migraine.

Ergotamine may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain, weakness, and itching.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• numbness, coldness, pain or tingling sensation in the hands and feet
• chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat
• severe headache, dizziness, changes in vision, passing out

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 medicines for migraine e.g. dihydroergotamine, sumatriptan
• certain medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
• certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin
• certain medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for depression e.g. fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. propranolol
• other medicines for HIV infection e.g. saquinavir
• other medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. clotrimazole, fluconazole
• zileuton (asthma medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ergotamine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).

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 food diary to help you identify possible foods that trigger off your attacks.

Store it in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from heat and light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.