Ergonovine/Methylergonovine (Systemic)
   
Ergonovine/Methylergonovine (Systemic)
US Brand Names
• Ergotrate
• Methergine
Canadian Brand Names
• Ergotrate Maleate
Other commonly used names are:
Ergometrine
Methylergometrine
Description
Ergonovine and methylergonovine belong to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. These medicines are usually given to stop excessive bleeding that sometimes occurs after abortion or a baby is delivered. They work by causing the muscle of the uterus to contract.
Ergonovine and methylergonovine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
These medicines are available only on prescription and are to be administered only by or under the supervision of your doctor. They are available in the following dosage forms:
Special Considerations
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ergonovine and methylergonovine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ergonovine, methylergonovine, or other ergot medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Breast-feeding
This medicine passes into the breast milk and may cause unwanted effects, such as vomiting; decreased circulation in the hands, lower legs, and feet; diarrhea; weak pulse; unstable blood pressure; or convulsions (seizures) in infants of mothers taking large doses.
Children
Although there is no specific information comparing use of ergonovine or methylergonovine in children with use in other age groups, these medicines are not expected to cause different problems in children than they do in adults.
Older adults
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of ergonovine or methylergonovine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking ergonovine or methylergonovine it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
• Bromocriptine (e.g., Parlodel) or
• Other ergot alkaloids (dihydroergotamine [e.g., D.H.E. 45], ergoloid mesylates [e.g., Hydergine], ergotamine [e.g., Gynergen], methysergide [e.g., Sansert])-Use of these medicines with ergonovine or methylergonovine may increase the chance of side effects of these medicines.
• Nitrates or
• Other medicines for angina-Use of these medicines with ergonovine or methylergonovine may keep these medicines from working properly
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ergonovine or methylergonovine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Angina (chest pain) or other heart problems or
• Blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure (or history of) or
• Stroke (history of)-These medicines may cause changes in how the heart works or blood pressure changes
• Infection-Infections may cause an increased sensitivity to the effect of these medicines
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease-The body may not remove these medicines from the bloodstream at the usual rate, which may make the medicine work longer or increase the chance for side effects
• Raynaud's phenomenon-Use of these medicines may cause worsening of the blood vessel narrowing that occurs with this disease
Administration
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken or if it is taken for a longer time than your doctor ordered, it may cause serious effects.
Dosing
The dose of ergonovine or methylergonovine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of ergonovine and methylergonovine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For ergonovine
• For oral dosage forms (tablets):
o For treatment of excessive uterine bleeding:
§ Adults-0.2 to 0.4 milligram, swallowed or placed under the tongue every six to twelve hours. Usually this medicine is taken for forty-eight hours or less.
• For injection dosage form:
o For treatment of excessive uterine bleeding:
§ Adults-0.2 milligram, injected into a muscle or vein. This dose can be repeated up to five times if needed, with a two- to four-hour wait between doses.
For methylergonovine
• For oral dosage forms (tablets):
o For treatment of excessive uterine bleeding:
§ Adults-0.2 to 0.4 milligram, taken every six to twelve hours. Usually this medicine is taken for forty-eight hours or less.
• For injection dosage form:
o For treatment of excessive uterine bleeding:
§ Adults-0.2 milligram, injected into a muscle or vein. This dose can be repeated up to five times if needed, with a two- to four-hour wait between doses.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, do not take the missed dose at all and do not double the next one. Instead, go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
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 other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions
If you have an infection or illness of any kind, check with your doctor before taking this medicine, since you may be more sensitive to its effects.
Side Effects
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 may need medical attention.
Check with the health care professional immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Chest pain.
Rare
Blurred vision; convulsions (seizures); crushing chest pain; headache (sudden and severe); irregular heartbeat; unexplained shortness of breath.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Slow heartbeat.
Rare
Itching of skin; pain in arms, legs, or lower back; pale or cold hands or feet; weakness in legs.
Symptoms of overdose
Bluish color of skin or inside of nose or mouth; chest pain; cool, pale, or numb arms or legs; confusion; cramping of the uterus (severe); decreased breathing rate; drowsiness; heartbeat changes; muscle pain; small pupils; tingling, itching, and cool skin; trouble in breathing; unconsciousness; unusual thirst; weak or absent pulse in arms or legs; weak pulse.
With long-term use
Dry, shriveled-looking skin on hands, lower legs, or feet; false feeling of insects crawling on the skin; pain and redness in an arm or leg; paralysis of one side of the body.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Cramping of the uterus; nausea; vomiting.
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain; diarrhea; dizziness; headache (mild and temporary); ringing in the ears; stuffy nose; sweating; unpleasant taste.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Notes
This information applies to the following medicines
1. Ergonovine (er-goe-NOE-veen)
2. Methylergonovine (meth-ill-er-goe-NOE-veen)
June 07, 1993 
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