D. H. E. 45 (Dihydroergotamine) Patient Information: Missed a Dose and What Should I Avoid at RxList

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May 26, 2012

DHE 45

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A migraine headache is a form of vascular headache. Migraine headache is caused by vasodilatation (enlargement of blood vessels) that causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain. Enlargement of these blood vessels stretches the nerves that coil around them and causes the nerves to release chemicals. The chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the arteries magnifies the pain.

Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The sympathetic nervous system is often thought of as the part of the nervous system that controls primitive responses to stress and pain, the so-called "fight or flight" response, and this activation causes many of the symptoms associated with migraine attacks; for example, the increased sympathetic nervous activity in the intestine causes nausea, vomiting,...

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D. H. E. 45 User Reviews >>

D. H. E. 45

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D. H. E. 45 Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (D. H. E. 45)?

Since dihydroergotamine is used on an as-needed basis, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Do not use more than 3 injections of dihydroergotamine per day or more than 6 injections per week.

What happens if I overdose (D. H. E. 45)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of dihydroergotamine can be fatal.

Overdose can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weak or shallow breathing, numbness and tingling or pain in your hands or feet, blue-colored fingers or toes, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using dihydroergotamine injection (D. H. E. 45)?

Do not use dihydroergotamine injection within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including:

another ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), or methysergide (Sansert); or
almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with dihydroergotamine injection and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

What other drugs will affect dihydroergotamine injection (D. H. E. 45)?

Many drugs can interact with dihydroergotamine. Below is just a partial list. Talk with your doctor before using dihydroergotamine injection if you are also taking:

zileuton (Zyflo);
cold or allergy medications;
nicotine (Nicoderm, Nicorette);
diet pills, stimulants, or medication to treat ADHD (such as Ritalin or Adderall);
an antidepressant such fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone (Serzone), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others;
an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche) or fluconazole (Diflucan); or
heart or blood pressure medication such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with dihydroergotamine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about dihydroergotamine injection.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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