|
|
|
Home :: Cafergot
Cafergot - Uses & Side Effects
Generic Name: caffeine and ergotamine (cah FEEN and er GOH tah meen)
Cafergot is prescribed for the relief or prevention of vascular headaches--for example, migraine, migraine variants, or cluster headaches.
Cafergot Dosage
- Dosage should start at the first sign of an attack.
- For the oral tablets, two tablets should be taken at the first sign of a vascular headache; followed by one additional tablet every half hour if needed, up to six tablets per attack.
- Use the rectal suppositories as directed by your doctor. One suppository should be administered at the first sign of a vascular headache; followed by one additional suppository after one hour if needed, up to two suppositories per attack.
Uses of Cafergot
- Ergotamine acts to reduce pulsing of migraine headaches.
- Caffeine is added to enhance the effects of ergotamine.
- The combination is used to treat migraine and cluster headaches.
Side Effects of Cafergot
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Cafergot. Side effects may include:
- Fluid retention, high blood pressure, itching, nausea, numbness, rapid heart rate, slow heartbeat, tingling or pins and needles, vertigo, vomiting, weakness.
- Bluish tinge to the skin, chest pain, cold arms and legs, gangrene, muscle pains.
Warnings and precautions before taking Cafergot:
- Do not take this medication with macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, amprenavir, saquinavir), azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole).
- If your migraine headaches are worse than they were before you started using this medicine, or your headache medicine stops working as well as it did when you first started using it. This may mean that you are in danger of becoming dependent on the headache medicine. Do not try to get better relief by increasing the dose .
- If your migraine headaches are occurring more often than they did before you started using this medicine. This is especially important if a new headache occurs within 1 day after you took your last dose of headache medicine, or if you are having headaches every day. This may mean that you are dependent on the headache medicine. Continuing to take this medicine will cause even more headaches later on . Your doctor can give you advice on how to relieve the headaches.
Drug Interaction :- If Cafergot is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Cafergot with the following:
- Beta-blocker drugs (blood pressure medications such as Inderal and Tenormin)
- Drugs that constrict the blood vessels, such as EpiPen and the oral decongestant Sudafed
- Macrolide antibiotics such as PCE, E.E.S., and Biaxin
- Nicotine (Nicoderm, Habitrol, others)
Overdose
If you suspect an overdose of Cafergot, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Symptoms of Cafergot overdose include:
- Coma, convulsions, diminished or absent pulses, drowsiness, high or low blood pressure, numbness, shock, stupor, tingling, pain and bluish discoloration of the limbs, unresponsiveness, vomiting
|
|
