UNTOWARD EFFECTS FROM THE USE OF ERGOT AND ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE

Abstract

Ergotamine tartrate is used now chiefly for migraine and pruritis. It and ergotoxine have no significant pharma-cologic difference; both are stimulants to heart, arteries, intestines and uterus. Ergotamine is known to produce a fall in peripheral temp. and this may explain its use as an antipruritic. It has a cumulative toxic, vasoconstrictor action which may be followed by thrombosis, ischemic neuritis and late secondary contracture. The untoward effects may occur after patient has had more than 0.5 mgm hypo-dermically or 10 mgm orally. The individual sensitivity varies widely. The drug is contraindicated in obstetrical sepsis, and in patients with cardiac and vascular disease. The earliest symptoms of ergotism are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tinnitus and vertigo, dilatation of pupils and blurring of vision, peripheral vascular changes (loss of pulse, pain, decreased skin temperature). When such symptoms develop, promptly stop the drug and give vasodilator drugs such as pilocarpin, MgSO4, alcohol.