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Ergotamine with Caffeine
Generic Name: Ergotamine
Brand Name: Cafatine, Cafergot, Cafetrate, Ercaf, Ergo-Caff, Migergot, Wigraine, and Caffeine-Ergotamine to name a few
Why Is This Medicine Prescribed?
Ergotamine is one of the medications that fall into a class called ergot alkaloids. The combination of the Ergotamine and the caffeine treat and prevent migraine headaches by preventing the blood vessels in the head from expanding. If the blood vessels in the head are prevented from expanding, the result is no migraine headache.
What Is the Proper Use of This Medication?
Ergotamine with caffeine is available as a tablet that is taken by mouth and as a rectal suppository. It works best when it is taken at the first sign of a migraine headache, being certain to follow the directions on the label very carefully. If you have any questions concerning the directions, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify anything you don’t understand. Take the medication exactly as directed, and under no circumstances should you take more or less than has been prescribed or take it more often than your doctor has prescribed.
The tablets are taken as follows:
When you first feel a migraine coming on, take two tablets.
Lie down and allow yourself to rest in a quiet, dark room for at least two hours.
After 30 minutes take two more tablets if the headache pain has not stopped and take one or two more tables every thirty minutes until the pain subsides or you have taken six tablets.
If the pain persists after you have taken six tables, call the doctor. Never take more than six tablets for one headache unless instructed by your doctor.
Unless instructed by your doctor, do not take more than six tablets in 24 hours or more than ten in one week.
If you are using the suppositories, follow the steps below:
Make sure the suppository is hard, and if it feels soft, place it in ice-cold water with wrapper still on it until it hardens.
After removing the wrapper, place the tip of the suppository in water.
Lie down on your left side, raising your right knee to your chest (for left-handed people, you may want to reverse the process).
Use your finger to insert the suppository into the rectum (1/2 to 1 inch in children and one inch in adults). Hold it in place for a few minutes.
After washing your hands thoroughly, lie down and relax in a dark quiet room for at least two hours.
If the headache pain continues after one hour, insert another suppository, and if it continues after the second suppository, call your doctor.
Do not use more than two suppositories for one headache or more than five in one week unless instructed by your doctor.
Special Precautions that should be followed
Before you start taking ergotamine and caffeine, be sure you do the following:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medication allergies you might have, especially ergotamine or caffeine.
Tell your doctor and pharmacists about any prescription and non-prescription medications you may be taking, as well as vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Be sure your doctor knows if you are taking clotrimazole, fluconazole, fluoxetrine, fluvoxanine, medications for colds or asthma, metronidazole, nefazodone, propranolol, saquinavir, and zileuton because these medications may cause side effects that your doctor will need to monitor carefully.
Do not take this medication if you are using antifungals, clarithromycin, erthyromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, and ntonavir.
If you have or ever have had high blood pressure, circulation problems, coronary heart disease, a severe blood infection, or kidney or liver disease, tell your doctor.
If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing, tell your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you should become pregnant while taking this medication as ergotamine and caffeine may harm the unborn child.
Dietary Restrictions
Drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication should be discussed with your doctor.
Side Effects of Ergotamine and Caffeine
The use of ergotamine and caffeine is not without side effects. If any of the following is severe or continues, bring it to your doctor’s attention.
Upset stomach
Nausea or vomiting
Some more serious side effects that are uncommon should be brought to your doctor’s attention immediately.
Weakness in the legs
Pains in the chest
Rapid heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
Dizziness
Muscle pain in the legs or arms
Blue tint to hands and feet
Swelling
Itching
Pain, burning, or tingling in the fingers or toes
Other side effects may present themselves while taking this medication. Be certain to notify your doctor of the presence of any unusual problems that you experience.
Storage Conditions for this Medication
Ergotamine with caffeine should be stored at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture.
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