Sansert (Methysergide maleate) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Sansert

Migraine »

What is a migraine headache?

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 n...

Read the Migraine article »

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Sansert

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Sansert Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methysergide (Sansert)?

Before taking methysergide, tell your doctor if you have

a peripheral vascular disease or poor circulation;
arteriosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries";
high blood pressure;
heart disease;
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other lung disease;
a collagen disease;
liver disease;
kidney disease; or
a serious infection.

You may not be able to take methysergide, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Do not take methysergide if you are pregnant. Methysergide is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that methysergide will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Methysergide also can induce uterine contractions and harm the baby.

Methysergide passes into breast milk and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in a nursing infant. Do not take methysergide if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take methysergide (Sansert)?

Take methysergide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take methysergide with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Methysergide cannot be taken for longer than 6 months at a time. To prevent harmful side effects, these 6-month periods must be separated by methysergide-free intervals of at least 3 to 4 weeks.

Do not stop taking methysergide abruptly. Doing so could cause a rebound headache to occur. Your dosage should be reduced gradually over 2 to 3 weeks before treatment is discontinued.

Store methysergide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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