Caffeine is a stimulant that causes narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction).

Ergotamine is in a group of drugs called ergot alkaloids (ER-got AL-ka-loids). It works by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain. Ergotamine also affects blood flow patterns that are associated with certain types of headaches.

The combination of caffeine and ergotamine is used to treat or prevent a migraine type headache.

This medication will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Caffeine and ergotamine should not be used to treat common tension headaches or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches.

Caffeine and ergotamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

This medication can harm an unborn baby or a nursing baby. Do not use caffeine and ergotamine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to caffeine and ergotamine or other ergot medicines, or if you have a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, history of a heart attack or stroke, coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver or kidney disease, or a serious infection.

Using certain medications together with caffeine and ergotamine can cause even greater decreases in blood flow than caffeine and ergotamine used alone. A severe decrease in blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body can lead to dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially antibiotics, antidepressants, heart or blood pressure medications, or medicines to treat HIV or AIDS.

Also tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially breathing problems, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, or risk factors for coronary artery disease (diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, menopause or hysterectomy, smoking, taking birth control pills, being overweight, having a family history of coronary artery disease, or being a man older than 40).

This medication will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Never use more than your prescribed dose of caffeine and ergotamine. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks. An overdose of caffeine and ergotamine can be fatal.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to caffeine or ergotamine, or other ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), or methysergide (Sansert).

Do not use caffeine and ergotamine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have:

• a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, or history of a heart attack or stroke;

• coronary artery disease or "hardening of the arteries";

• uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• severe liver disease;

• severe kidney disease; or

• a serious infection called sepsis.

Using certain medications together with caffeine and ergotamine can cause even greater decreases in blood flow than caffeine and ergotamine used alone. A severe decrease in blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body can lead to dangerous side effects. Do not use caffeine and ergotamine if you are also using any of the following medications:

• conivaptan (Vaprisol);

• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);

• imatinib (Gleevec);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), telithromycin (Ketek), or troleandomycin (Tao);

• an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

• heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or

• HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or ritonavir (Norvir).

Caffeine and ergotamine can cause rare but serious side effects on the heart, including heart attack or stroke. If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using caffeine and ergotamine, tell your doctor if you have:

• breathing problems;

• high blood pressure;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• coronary artery disease (or risk factors that include diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use caffeine and ergotamine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using caffeine and ergotamine.

Caffeine and ergotamine passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not use caffeine and ergotamine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.