Ergot Alkaloids

Antimigrene Agents

Ergotamine

Vasoconstriction by binding to 5-HT1B/1D serotonin receptors and alpha-adrenergic receptors

• Vascular headaches (i.e., migraine and variants, histaminic cephalalgia)

• ECG changes

• Ischemia

• Nausea/vomiting

• Numbness, paresthesia, myalgia, weakness

• Ergot toxicity

  • An intoxication that causes convulsive (e.g., fasciculations, paresthesias, and seizures) and/or gangrenous symptoms (e.g., peripheral necrosis)

  • Historically, it occurred from consumption of ergot alkaloids produced by fungi (e.g., contaminated rye).

  • Nowadays, it is only rarely seen due to overdosing or pharmacological interactions with ergot-derived drugs (e.g., ergotamine).

• Pregnancy

• Peripheral vascular disease

• Coronary artery disease

• Hypertension

• Pharmacologic interactions