Ergot alkaloids

Information about Ergot alkaloids

Ergot alkaloids are widely used for therapy of acute migraine headaches and include ergotamine and dihydroergotamine, both of which act by causing vasoconstriction of the carotid artery beds.

Liver toxicity of Ergot alkaloids

Ergot alkaloids have multiple side effects, but have little effect on the liver and have not been clearly linked to instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Ergot alkaloids

Ergotamine (er got' a meen) and dihydroergotamine are ergot alkaloids that act as vasoconstrictors, probably by stimulating alpha adrenergic receptors particularly in the carotid artery bed. The ergotamines may also have serotoninergic effects which may also be beneficial in migraine.

History of Ergot alkaloids

The ergotamines were first reported to alleviate migraine headaches in the 1920s and were introduced into clinical use in the United States in the 1940s.

Brand name for Ergot alkaloids

Ergotamine is available in 1 mg tablets in multiple generic forms and under brand names such as Cafergot, Ergomar, Ergostat, Migergot and Wigraine. Various combinations of ergotamine with caffeine (100 mg) and acetaminophen are also available as are rectal suppositories (2 mg with or without caffeine) and sublingual forms (2 mg).

Dosage and administration for Ergot alkaloids

The usual recommended dose to abort or treat a vascular headache is 2 mg initially (sublingually or orally) and then 1 to 2 mg every 30 minutes, to a maximum of 6 mg per attack and 10 mg weekly. Dihydroergotamine is available in solution for injection (1 mg/mL) or as a nasal spray (4 mg/mL) in generic forms and under the brand names of DHE 45 and Migranal. The usual recommended dose is 1 mg intramuscularly or intravenously initially, repeated at 1 hour intervals to a total dose of 2 to 3 mg and no more than 6 mg weekly. The nasal spray is given as 0.5 mg to each nostril, repeated every 15 minutes, but to less than 3 mg in 24 hours and 4 mg in one week. The advantage of the nasal and parenteral formulations is the rapid onset of action; the disadvantage is a greater potential for overdose or side effects.

Side effects of Ergot alkaloids

Common side effects (ergotism) include nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, numbness and tingling, hypertension, bradycardia, muscle pains and itching. Overdose can cause acute vascular spasm and thrombosis.

• Dailymed label info on Ergot alkaloids
• FDA Ergot alkaloids

Ergot alkaloids Resources
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