Amerge vs. Cafergot

Amerge (naratriptan) and Cafergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine) are headache medicines used to treat migraine headaches. Amerge and Cafergot will only treat a headache that has already begun. Amerge and Cafergot will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Amerge and Cafergot are different types of migraine medications. Amerge is a 5HT agonist (a “triptan”) and Cafergot is a combination of an ergot alkaloid and a stimulant.

Side effects of Amerge and Cafergot that are similar include weakness and dizziness.

Side effects of Amerge that are different from Cafergot include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin), sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin, drowsiness, tired feeling, and pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body.

Side effects of Cafergot that are different from Amerge include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, restlessness, trouble sleeping, dizziness, spinning sensation, and itching.

Both Amerge and Cafergot may interact with other migraine headache medicines and antidepressants.

Amerge may also interact with medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics (opioids), and medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Cafergot may also interact with macrolide antibiotics, protease inhibitors, antifungals, grapefruit and grapefruit juice, aprepitant, cimetidine, cyclosporine, haloperidol, imatinib, nicotine, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medications, and medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies.

Common side effects of Amerge include:

• flushing,
• sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• dizziness, or
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body

Common side effects of Cafergot include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• restlessness,
• trouble sleeping,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• weakness, or
• itching

Amerge (naratriptan) is a headache medicine used to treat migraine headaches. Amerge will only treat a headache that has already begun. Amerge will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Amerge is available in generic form.

Cafergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine) is a combination of an ergot alkaloid and a stimulant used to treat a migraine type headache. Cafergot will only treat a headache that has already begun. Cafergot will not prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Cafergot should not be used to treat common tension headaches or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches.

Amerge may interact with other migraine headache medicines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Amerge should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Cafergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine) is a combination of an ergot alkaloid and a stimulant used to treat a migraine type headache. Cafergot will only treat a headache that has already begun. Cafergot will not prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Cafergot should not be used to treat common tension headaches or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches.

The dosage of Amerge is 25 mg four times a day.

Dosage of Cafergot should start at the first sign of an attack. Adult dose is 2 tablets at the start of an attack; 1 additional tablet every 1/2 hour, if needed for full relief (maximum 6 tablets per attack, 10 per week).