Drug interactions
Ergotamine + Nitroglycerin rectal
Severity: Moderate
Ergotamine and Nitroglycerin rectal: moderate 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 may increase ergot bioavailability by reducing first-pass metabolism, and ergotamine can antagonize the antianginal effect of nitroglycerin through vasoconstriction. In patients with coronary disease, ergotamine can also provoke angina or ischemia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ergotamine and Nitroglycerin rectal can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Nitroglycerin may reduce the first-pass metabolism of ergot alkaloids, and ergotamine's vasoconstriction opposes nitrate vasodilation.
What to do
Avoid ergotamine in patients with coronary artery disease needing nitrates. If the combination is used, monitor for angina, blood pressure changes and ergotism.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Ergotamine with Nitroglycerin rectal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ergotamine and Nitroglycerin rectal can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Nitrates may increase ergot bioavailability by reducing first-pass metabolism, and ergotamine can antagonize the antianginal effect of nitroglycerin through vasoconstriction. In patients with coronary disease, ergotamine can also provoke angina or ischemia.
How serious is the interaction between Ergotamine and Nitroglycerin rectal?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid ergotamine in patients with coronary artery disease needing nitrates. If the combination is used, monitor for angina, blood pressure changes and ergotism.
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.
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