Ergotamine: its use in the treatment of migraine and its complications.
This paper gives a review of the use of ergotamine in the treatment of migraine and discusses its side effects and the treatment of possible complications. It is concluded that ergotamine is an effective and valuable substance in the treatment of acute attacks of migraine. However, ergotamine remains a potentially dangerous substance, its possible side effects being multiple and in some cases very serious. In view of the important adverse effects, the further study of other molecules effective in the treatment of acute migraine attacks is warranted.
Saxena
V K
VK
Department of Neurology, General Hospital Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium.
De Deyn
P P
PP
D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D000075202:Contraindications; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004881:Ergotism; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
D004338:Drug Combinations; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D002110:Caffeine; D004878:Ergotamine