Cafergot

This page contains drug information on Cafergot.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Cafergot
the possible side effects of Cafergot
what happens if you miss a dose of Cafergot
what happens if you overdose with Cafergot
the most important information about Cafergot
how to use Cafergot
other drugs that may affect Cafergot
what to avoid while using Cafergot
 
Generic Name: caffeine and ergotamine (cah FEEN and er GOH tah meen)
Brand Names: Cafatine, Cafergot, Cafetrate, Ercaf, Migergot, Wigraine
 
What is the most important information I should know about cafergot?
 •  Some medications may increase the risk of dangerously decreased blood flow to the brain, heart, or extremities when taken with cafergot. In rare but severe cases, gangrene or other serious problems can result. Some, but not all, of these medications are listed below in the section "What other drugs will affect cafergot?". Do not take any other medications during treatment with cafergot without first talking to your doctor.
 •  Contact your doctor immediately if you experience numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, chest pain, weakness of the legs, muscle pain in the arms or legs, pain in the chest, changes in heart rate, swelling or itching.
 •  Do not take cafergot if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment. cafergot is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that cafergot can cause harm to an unborn baby. cafergot can induce uterine contractions, which can result in abortion, and it can restrict blood flow to the fetus.
 •  Do not use more than six tablets or two suppositories per headache. Do not use more than ten tablets or five suppositories in seven days. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

What is cafergot?
 •  cafergot both cause vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins that supply blood to the head.
 •  cafergot is used to prevent and to treat vascular headaches such as migraine and migraine-like headaches.
 •  cafergot may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cafergot ?
 •  Some medications may increase the risk of dangerously decreased blood flow to the brain, heart, or extremities when taken with cafergot. In rare but severe cases, gangrene or other serious problems can result. Some, but not all, of these medications are listed below in the section "What other drugs will affect cafergot?". Do not take any other medications during treatment with cafergot without first talking to your doctor.
 •  Do not take cafergot without first talking to your doctor if you have:
      · peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation
      · arteriosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries"
      · high blood pressure
      · heart disease
      · liver disease
      · kidney disease or
      · a serious infection.
 •  You may not be able to take cafergot, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  Do not take cafergot if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment. cafergot is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that cafergot can cause harm to an unborn baby. cafergot can induce uterine contractions, which can result in abortion, and it can restrict blood flow to the fetus.
 •  cafergot may pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant. Do not take cafergot without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take cafergot?
 •  Take cafergot exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take cafergot 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.
 •  Do not use more than six tablets or two suppositories per headache. Do not use more than ten tablets or five suppositories in seven days. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
 •  Store cafergot at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Since cafergot is taken on an as-needed basis, missing a dose is not usually a problem.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  Seek emergency medical attention.
 •  Symptoms of a cafergot overdose include nausea, vomiting, numbness in the fingers or toes, confusion, drowsiness, convulsions, and possibly death.

What should I avoid while taking cafergot?
 •  Do not take more than six tablets per headache. Do not take more than ten tablets in 7 days. If your symptoms are not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of cafergot?
 •  Stop taking cafergot and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience.
      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives)
      · chest pain
      · numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
      · muscle pain in the arms or legs
      · leg weakness
      · changes in heart rate
      · swelling or
      · itching.
 •  Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take cafergot and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea or vomiting.
 •  cafergot may be habit forming when used for long periods of time. Larger doses may be needed for headache relief, and withdrawal effects may occur when cafergot therapy is stopped.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect cafergot?
 •  Some medications may increase the risk of dangerously decreased blood flow to the brain, heart, or extremities when taken with cafergot. In rare but severe cases, gangrene or other serious problems can result. The following drugs should not be taken with cafergot or should be used only under the close supervision of a doctor:
      · another medication that contains an ergot compound such as Ergomar, D.H.E., or D.H.E. Nasal
      · another migraine headache medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or naratriptan (Amerge)these medicines must not be taken within 24 hours of a dose of cafergot
      · a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil)
      · a beta-blocker (which are used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and other heart conditions) such as carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren)
      · an HIV/ AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
      · the antibiotics erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin)
      · the antifungals medicines itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
      · nefazodone (Serzone)
      · cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or
      · sibutramine (Meridia).
 •  The use of cafergot may be dangerous if you are taking any of the drugs listed above.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cafergot. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.