METHYSERGIDE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Category
- Vascular headache prophylactic
Description
Methysergide (meth-i-SER-jide)belongs to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. It is used toprevent migraine headaches and some kinds of throbbing headaches. It is notused to treat an attack once it has started. The exact way methysergide actson the body is not known.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Oral- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For methysergide, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to methysergide or to other ergot medicines. Also tell yourhealth care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, suchas foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Methysergide is not recommended during pregnancy.Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?This medicine passes into the breast milk and maycause unwanted effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, weak pulse, unstable bloodpressure, and convulsions (seizures) in nursing babies.
Children?Methysergide can cause serious side effects in anypatient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child'sdoctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it.
Older adults?Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effectsof methysergide. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingmethysergide, it is important that your health care professional know if youare using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC])medicine, or if you smoke.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of methysergide. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Arthritis or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Infection or
- Itching (severe) or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Lung disease?The chance of serious side effects may be increased
- High blood pressure or
- Stomach ulcer?Methysergide can make your condition worse
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. If the amount youare to take does not prevent your headaches from occurring as often as before,do not take more than your doctor ordered. Instead, check with your doctor.Taking too much of this medicine or taking it too frequently may cause seriouseffects such as nausea and vomiting; cold, painful hands or feet; or evengangrene.
If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may be takenwith meals or milk. If stomach upset continues or is severe, checkwith your doctor.
Dosing?The dose of methysergide will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of methysergide. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For preventing migraine and other throbbing headaches:
- Adults?2 milligrams (mg) (one tablet) two to four times a day.
- Children?Use is not recommended.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the misseddose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If youhave been taking this medicine regularly, do not stoptaking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor maywant you to reduce gradually the amount you are using before stopping completely.If you stop taking it suddenly, your headaches may return or worsen.
Your doctor will tell you how long you should take this medicine. Usuallyit is not taken for longer than 6 months at a time. Ifthe doctor tells you to stop taking the medicine for a while, do not continueto take it. If your body does not get a rest from the medicine, itcan have harmful effects.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy,or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may causesome people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines,or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
If dizziness occurs, get up slowly after lying or sitting down. If theproblem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Since drinking alcoholic beverages may make headaches worse, it is bestto avoid alcohol while you are suffering from them. If you have any questionsabout this, check with your doctor.
Since smoking may increase some of the harmful effects of this medicine,it is best to avoid smoking while you are using it. If you have any questionsabout this, check with your doctor.
This medicine may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures, especiallyif you have blood circulation problems. It tends to decrease blood circulationin the skin, fingers, and toes. Dress warmly during cold weather and be carefulduring prolonged exposure to cold, such as in winter sports. This is especiallyimportant for elderly people, who are more likely than younger adults to alreadyhave problems with their circulation.
Check with your doctor if a serious infection or illness of any kind occurswhile you are taking methysergide, since an infection may make you more sensitiveto the medicine's effects.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctorimmediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Chest pain or tightness in chest; convulsions(seizures); difficult or painful urination; dizziness (severe); fever or chills; increase or decrease (large) in the amount of urine; leg cramps; pain in arms,legs, groin, lower back, or side; pale or cold handsor feet; shortness of breath or difficult breathing; swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
After you stop using this medicine, your body may needtime to adjust. The length of time this takes depends on the amount of medicineyou were using and how long you used it. During this time check with yourdoctor if your headaches begin again or worsen.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 07/07/1997
