Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine
mesylate) is an ergot alkaloid used to treat a migraine or cluster headache
attack. D.H.E. 45 will only treat a headache that has already begun and will not
prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. D.H.E. 45 is available in
generic form. Common side effects of D.H.E. 45 include dizziness, drowsiness,
headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flushing (redness or tingly feeling under
the skin), increased sweating, anxiety, or skin rash. Tell your doctor if you
experience serious side effects of D.H.E. 45 including slow/fast/irregular
heartbeat, tingling/pain/coldness in the fingers or toes, whitish
fingers/toes/nails, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, bluish hands or
feet, muscle pain or weakness in the arms or legs, severe stomach or abdominal
pain, lower back pain, or little or no urine.
D.H.E. 45 Injection is administered in a dose of 1 mL intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The total weekly dosage should not exceed 6 mL. D.H.E. 45 may interact with other migraine headache medicines, zileuton, cold or allergy medications, nicotine, diet pills, stimulants, medication to treat ADHD, antidepressants, antifungal medications, or heart or blood pressure medication. Tell your doctor all medications you use. D.H.E. 45 may harm a fetus and must not be used during pregnancy. Men and women should use 2 forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pill) while using this medication. Consult your doctor to discuss birth control. This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug.
Our D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine mesylate) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

QUESTION
Who suffers more frequently from migraine headaches? See AnswerGet emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using dihydroergotamine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- fast or slow heart rate, swelling or itching in any part of your body;
- chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, and nausea, sweating, or general ill feeling;
- sudden numbness or weakness, sudden headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;
- leg weakness, muscle pain in your arms or legs;
- numbness, tingling, and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
- stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody;
- cough with stabbing chest pain and trouble breathing; or
- dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath).
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, feeling anxious;
- diarrhea;
- sweating, mild skin rash, redness or tingly feeling under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for DHE 45 (Dihydroergotamine)

SLIDESHOW
16 Surprising Headache Triggers and Tips for Pain Relief See SlideshowSIDE EFFECTS
Serious cardiac events, including some that have been fatal, have occurred following use of D.H.E. 45® (dihydroergotamine mesylate) Injection, USP, but are extremely rare. Events reported have included coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. ( See CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS)
Post-Introduction Reports
The following events derive from postmarketing experience have been occasionally reported in patients receiving D.H.E. 45® (dihydroergotamine mesylate) Injection, USP vasospasm, paraesthesia, hypertension, dizziness, anxiety, dyspnea, headache, flushing, diarrhea, rash, increased sweating, and pleural and retroperitoneal fibrosis after long-term use of dihydroergotamine. Extremely rare cases of myocardial infarction and stroke have been reported. A causal relationship has not been established. D.H.E. 45® (dihydroergotamine mesylate) Injection, USP is not recommended for prolonged daily use. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION)
DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
Currently available data have not demonstrated drug abuse or psychological dependence with dihydroergotamine. However, cases of drug abuse and psychological dependence in patients on other forms of ergot therapy have been reported. That, due to the chronicity of vascular headaches, it is imperative that patients be advised not to exceed recommended dosages.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for DHE 45 (Dihydroergotamine)
Read the DHE 45 User Reviews »
© DHE 45 Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and DHE 45 Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.
