Drug interactions
Ergotamine + Saquinavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Ergotamine and Saquinavir: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Saquinavir, given with ritonavir, inhibits CYP3A4 and can greatly increase ergotamine exposure. This risks serious ergotism with vasospasm and ischemia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ergotamine and Saquinavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of ergotamine.
What to do
Do not co-administer; select a non-ergot acute migraine treatment. Seek urgent care for cold, numb or painful extremities.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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References
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 Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Ergotamine and Saquinavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Saquinavir, given with ritonavir, inhibits CYP3A4 and can greatly increase ergotamine exposure. This risks serious ergotism with vasospasm and ischemia.
How serious is the interaction between Ergotamine and Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not co-administer; select a non-ergot acute migraine treatment. Seek urgent care for cold, numb or painful extremities.
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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