Drug interactions
Amyl nitrite + Ergotamine
Severity: Major
Amyl nitrite and Ergotamine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Nitrates can antagonize ergotamine's vasoconstriction yet ergotamine may reduce nitrate antianginal effect, and increased ergotamine bioavailability with raised blood pressure and angina has been described. Patients with coronary disease are at particular risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amyl nitrite and Ergotamine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic opposition of vasodilation and vasoconstriction; nitrates may also reduce ergotamine metabolism.
What to do
Avoid the combination in patients with ischemic heart disease. If both are needed, monitor blood pressure and anginal symptoms closely.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amyl nitrite and Ergotamine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ergotamine
- Almotriptan + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amyl nitrite with Ergotamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amyl nitrite and Ergotamine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Nitrates can antagonize ergotamine's vasoconstriction yet ergotamine may reduce nitrate antianginal effect, and increased ergotamine bioavailability with raised blood pressure and angina has been described. Patients with coronary disease are at particular risk.
How serious is the interaction between Amyl nitrite and Ergotamine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination in patients with ischemic heart disease. If both are needed, monitor blood pressure and anginal symptoms closely.
What other medicines interact with Ergotamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ergotamine with, for example, Almotriptan, Atazanavir, Clarithromycin. The full list is on the Ergotamine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
