Migraines and Headaches Resources
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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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Patients should be advised that one Ergomar (ergotamine tartrate tablets) ® Sublingual Tablet should be taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. No more than 2 tablets should be taken for any single migraine attack. No more than 5 tablets should be taken during any 7-day period. Administration of Ergomar (ergotamine tartrate tablets) ® Sublingual Tablets should not exceed the dosing guidelines and should not be used for chronic daily administration (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Ergomar (ergotamine tartrate tablets) ® Sublingual Tablets should be used only for migraine headaches. It is not effective for other types of headaches and it lacks analgesic properties. Patients should be advised to report to the physician immediately any of the following: numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes, muscle pain in the arms and legs, weakness in the legs, pain in the chest or temporary speeding or slowing of the heart rate, swelling or itching.
Last reviewed on RxList: 1/20/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
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