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D.H.E. 45 description. Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine belong to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. They are used to treat severe, throbbing headaches, such as migraine and cluster headaches. Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine are not ordinary pain relievers. They will not relieve any kind of pain other than throbbing headaches. Because these medicines can cause serious side effects, they are usually used for patients whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers. Dihydroergotamine and ergotamine may cause blood vessels in the body to constrict (become narrower). This effect can lead to serious side effects that are caused by a decrease in the flow of blood (blood circulation) to many parts of the body. The caffeine present in many ergotamine-containing combinations helps ergotamine work better and faster by causing more of it to be quickly absorbed into the body. The belladonna alkaloids, dimenhydrinate, and diphenhydramine in some combinations help to relieve nausea and vomiting, which often occur together with the headaches. Dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, and pentobarbital also help the patient relax and even sleep. This also helps relieve headaches. Dihydroergotamine is also used for other conditions, as determined by your doctor. Why prescribed D.H.E. 45. Dihydroergotamine is used to treat migraine headaches. Dihydroergotamine is in a class of medications called ergot alkaloids. It works by tightening blood vessels in the brain and by stopping the release of natural substances in the brain that cause swelling. How used D.H.E. 45. Dihydroergotamine comes as a solution to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) and as a spray to be used in the nose. It is taken as needed for migraine headaches. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dihydroergotamine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Dihydroergotamine can damage the heart and other organs if it is used too often. Dihydroergotamine should be used only to treat a migraine that is in progress. Do not use dihydroergotamine to prevent a migraine from beginning or to treat a headache that feels different than your usual migraine. Dihydroergotamine should not be used every day. Your doctor will tell you how many times you may use dihydroergotamine each week. You may receive your first dose of dihydroergotamine in your doctor's office so that your doctor can monitor your reaction to the medication and be sure that you know how to use the nasal spray or administer the injection correctly. After that, you may spray or inject dihydroergotamine at home. Be sure that you and anyone who will be helping you inject the medication read the manufacturer's information for the patient that comes with dihydroergotamine before using it for the first time at home. If you are using the solution for injection, you should never reuse syringes. Dispose of syringes in a puncture resistant container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture resistant container. To use the solution for injection, follow these steps: Check your ampule to be sure it is safe to use. Do not use the ampule if it is broken, cracked, labeled with an expiration date that has passed, or contains a colored, cloudy, or particle filled liquid. Return that ampule to the pharmacy and use a different ampule. Wash your hands well with soap and water. Check to be sure all the liquid is at the bottom of ampule. If any liquid is at the top of the ampule, gently flick it with your finger until it falls to the bottom. Hold the bottom of the ampule in one hand. Hold the top of the ampule between the thumb and pointer of your other hand. Your thumb should be over the dot on the top of the ampule. Push the top of the ampule backward with your thumb until it breaks off. Tilt the ampule at a 45 degree angle and insert the needle into the ampule. Pull back the plunger slowly and steadily until the top of the plunger is even with the dose your doctor told you to inject. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upward and check if it contains air bubbles. If the syringe does contain air bubbles, tap it with your finger until the bubbles rise to the top. Then slowly push the plunger up until you see a drop of medication at the tip of the needle. Check the syringe to be sure it contains the correct dose, especially if you had to remove air bubbles. If the syringe does not contain the correct dose, repeat steps 5-7. Choose a spot to inject the medication on either thigh, well above the knee. Wipe the area with an alcohol swab using a firm, circular motion, and allow it to dry. Hold the syringe with one hand and hold a fold of skin around the injection site with the other hand. Push the needle all the way into the skin at a 45-90 degree angle. Keep the needle inside the skin, and pull back slightly on the plunger. If blood appears in the syringe, pull the needle slightly out of the skin and repeat step 11. Push the plunger all the way down to inject the medication. Pull the needle quickly out of the skin at the same angle you inserted it. Press a new alcohol pad on the injection site and rub it. To use the nasal spray, follow these steps: Check your ampule to be sure it is safe to use. Do not use the ampule if it is broken, cracked, labeled with an expiration date that has passed, or contains a colored, cloudy, or particle filled liquid. Return that ampule to the pharmacy and use a different ampule. Check to be sure all the liquid is at the bottom of the ampule. If any liquid is at the top of the ampule, gently flick it with your finger until it falls to the bottom. Place the ampule straight and upright in the well of the assembly case. The breaker cap should still be on and should be pointing up. Push down the lid of the assembly case slowly but firmly until you hear the ampule snap open. Open the assembly case, but do not remove the ampule from the well. Hold the nasal sprayer by the metal ring with the cap pointing up. Press it onto the ampule until it clicks. Check the bottom of the sprayer to be sure the ampule is straight. If it is not straight, push it gently with your finger. Remove the nasal sprayer from the well and remove the cap from the sprayer. Be careful not to touch the tip of the sprayer. To prime the pump, point the sprayer away from your face and pump it four times. Some medication will spray in the air, but a full dose of medication will remain in the sprayer. Place the tip of the sprayer in each nostril and press down to release one full spray. Do not tilt your head back or sniff while you are spraying. The medication will work even if you have a stuffy nose, cold, or allergies. Wait fifteen minutes and release one full spray in each nostril again. Throw away the sprayer and ampule. Place a new unit dose spray in your assembly case so you will be ready for your next attack. Throw away the assembly case after you have used it to prepare four sprayers. Some brand names: - Belcomp-PB - Cafergot - D.H.E. - D.H.E. 45 - Ergocaff-PB - Ergodryl - Ergomar - Gravergol - Headache Medicines, Ergot Derivative-Containing - Migergot - Migracet-PB |