Ergotamine + Caffeine - Oral

Ergotamine and Caffeine are combined in this medicine.

Ergotamine + Caffeine 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 + Caffeine 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.

Take Ergotamine + Caffeine only when you have a migraine attack.

This medicine 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 Ergotamine + Caffeine does not give you any relief.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• coronary heart disease (narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart)
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• 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)
• certain types of headaches known as hemiplegic or basilar migraines
• temporal arteritis (inflammation of the blood vessels located at the temples or the side of the head)

as Ergotamine + Caffeine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or if you are of childbearing potential. If you become pregnant while being treated with Ergotamine + Caffeine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.

Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

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

Notify your doctor if you smoke or a chain smoker.

Avoid long-term use of Ergotamine + Caffeine.

Ergotamine + Caffeine 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. You will also be required to have regular heart check-ups while being treated with this medicine.

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

Ergotamine + Caffeine may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and pain or weakness in the extremities.

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

• numbness, coldness, redness, or swelling of the legs or feet
• chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness

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 + Caffeine with the following medicines:

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

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

• certain medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease e.g. propranolol, metoprolol
• medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, nefazodone, fluoxetine
• zileuton (asthma medicine)
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
• certain antibiotics e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, enoxacin
• mexiletine (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
• birth control pills

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

Always notify your 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.

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 in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.