Amerge vs. Migergot

Amerge (naratriptan) and Migergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine suppositories) are headache medicines 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 and Migergot are different types of migraine medications. Amerge is a 5HT agonist (a “triptan”) and Migergot is a combination of an ergot alkaloid and a stimulant.

Side effects of Amerge and Migergot that are similar include weakness and numbness and tingling.

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

Side effects of Migergot that are different from Amerge include low blood supply and oxygen (ischemia), bluish skin color, cold extremities, chest pain, EKG changes, muscle pains, temporary fast or slow heart rate, high blood pressure (hypertension), nausea, vomiting, rectal or anal ulcer (from overuse of suppositories), spinning sensation (vertigo), and localized swelling and itching.

Amerge may interact with other migraine headache medicines, antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics (opioids), and medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Migergot may interact with other vasoconstrictors, sympathomimetics, beta-blockers, nicotine, and macrolide antibiotics.

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 Migergot 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.

Migergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine suppositories) is a combination of an alpha-blocker and a stimulant and vasoconstrictor indicated as therapy to abort or prevent vascular headache, e.g., migraine, migraine variants or so-called "histaminic cephalalgia."

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.

Migergot may interact with other vasoconstrictors, sympathomimetics, beta-blockers, nicotine, and macrolide antibiotics. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.