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.

Ergotamine is used to treat 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.

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

Ergotamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to 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 ergotamine can cause even greater decreases in blood flow than ergotamine used alone, which can lead to dangerous side effects. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using.

Also tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially 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 take more than your prescribed dose of ergotamine. An overdose can be fatal.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to ergotamine or similar medications such as Cafergot, D.H.E. 45, Migergot, Migranal, or Methergine.

Do not take 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 ergotamine can cause even greater decreases in blood flow than ergotamine used alone, which can lead to dangerous side effects. Do not take ergotamine if you are also using any of the following medications:

• conivaptan (Vaprisol), imatinib (Gleevec), isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis), or nefazodone (an antidepressant);

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

• clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend);

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

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

Ergotamine can cause rare but serious side effects on the heart, including heart attack or stroke. To make sure you can safely take ergotamine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• 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. Ergotamine can cause birth defects. Do not use 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 this medication.

Ergotamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Ergotamine may also decrease milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.