title: Modern ergotism.
abstract: A patient taking excessive amounts of an ergot alkaloid for the treatment of migraine headaches developed cool, painful, swollen lower extremities with intermittent claudication and sensory changes. Symptoms subsided and pulses returned within a day of cessation of therapy. "St. Anthony's fire" may be due to stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the peripheral vasculature. Rebound headache after withdrawal of ergot alkaloids may lead to self-medication and overdosage, with subsequent risk of ergotism.
mesh_terms: D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000009:adverse effects; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004881:Ergotism / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; C037330:caffeine, ergotamine drug combination; D002110:Caffeine; D004878:Ergotamine