Drug Notes

Dihydroergotamine (By injection)

Dihydroergotamine (dye-hye-droe-er-GOT-a-meen)

Treats migraine headaches.

Brand Name(s):

D.H.E. 45

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose. Use this medicine as directed. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a muscle.
• If you get another migraine headache after you have used this medicine, do not use a second dose unless it has been more than 6 hours from the last dose.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Dihydroergotamine is used only when you have a migraine. It is not used on a regular schedule.
• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use clarithromycin, erythromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nelfinavir, ritonavir, or troleandomycin while you are using dihydroergotamine.
• Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using clotrimazole, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, saquinavir, or zileuton. Tell your doctor if you use other medicine to treat migraines (such as sumatriptan or zolmitriptan) or blood pressure medicine (such as propranolol).
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have a history of stroke or a family history of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you smoke.
• This medicine helps stop migraine headaches. It does not relieve pain or stop other kinds of headaches.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Risk of heart attack or heart rhythm problems (rare)
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Higher risk of stroke
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that may be dangerous until you know how the medicine affects you.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion, sudden or severe headache, trouble seeing, speaking, or walking
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, chest pain, wheezing or trouble breathing
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, stomach pain
• Headache
• Flushing

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017