Cafergot Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Ergotamine tartrate, Caffeine

CAFFEINE; ERGOTAMINE (Cafergot®) is one of a group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. Caffeine; ergotamine preparations help to prevent certain kinds of throbbing headaches such as migraine and cluster headaches.

Cafergot Dosage

• You should start dosage at the first sign of an attack.
• The total dose for any single attack should not exceed 6 tablets.

Uses of Cafergot

• It is used to treat or prevent a certain type of headache (vascular headaches such as migraine headaches and cluster headaches).
• It is also used for other medical conditions those are listed in the medication guide.

Side Effects of Cafergot

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using 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

Warnings and precautions before taking Cafergot:

• You should tell your doctor if you have blood vessel disease, liver or kidney disease, severe itching, high blood pressure, history of smoking/tobacco use, problems with circulation.
• Before taking this medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ergotamine or caffeine; or to other ergot alkaloids or to other xanthine drugs; or if you have any other allergies.
• If you are taking this medication, then this drug may make you dizzy; so use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Cafergot, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Cafergot medicine. 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

When you are taking Cafergot, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Cafergot overdose may 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