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Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Ergotamine Tartrate + Caffeine Cafergot, Caffox

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - What is it for

​This medication is a combination of ergot derivative and caffeine (stimulant). It is often used to treat acute migraine and stops migraine attacks when the attack begins but does not prevent a migraine.

Headache or migraine occurs due to widened blood vessels in the brain. This medication works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain. This reverses the widening of blood vessels, thereby stopping a migraine.

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine cause?

  • ​Nausea and vomiting
  • Tingling sensation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Muscle ache or weakness

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Please see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects:

  • Chest pain, especially if it spreads to your arms, jaw, back, neck or if you have trouble breathing, unusual sweating or feel faint.
  • Numbing, cold feeling or pale fingers or toes.

Before taking Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine , what precautions must I follow?

​Inform your healthcare professional if

  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
  • You have history of the following:
    • Heart condition
    • Peptic ulcer disease
    • Narrowing of blood vessels in your arms, legs (peripheral vascular disease)
    • Uncontrolled blood pressure
    • Glaucoma (eye condition whereby the fluid pressure in the eye is high)
    • Liver or kidney problems
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine ?

  • ​Azole antifungals (e.g. itraconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole)
  • Protease inhibitors (e.g. letermovir)
  • Macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin)
  • Triptans (e.g. sumatriptan)

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medication as grapefruit may interact with your medication and increases the risk of side-effects.

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - Dosage and How to Use

How should Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine be used?

  • ​Take one to two tablets as soon as you experience a migraine attack.
  • If the migraine is not relieved, you may take another tablet every 30 minutes, until the attack is relieved. Maximum 6 tablets per attack in 24 hours and maximum 10 tablets per week. 
  • You may take this medication with or without food.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

What should I do if I overdose?

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - Handling

How should I handle Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine safely?

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - Storage

How should I store Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine ?

;#Keep away from children;#Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight;#

How should I dispose of Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine safely?

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Ergotamine Tartrate + caffeine - Additional Information

  • Updated on 2/28/2021 12:00:00 AM
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

​If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

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