Ergoloid mesylates (Oral, Sublingual)
Generic name: ergoloid mesylates [ ER-goe-loid-MES-i-lates ]
Brand name: Hydergine
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 18, 2023.
Uses for ergoloid mesylates
Ergoloid mesylates belongs to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. It is used to treat some mood, behavior, or other problems that may be due to changes in the brain from Alzheimer's disease or multiple small strokes.
This medicine is different from other ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine and methysergide. It is not useful for treating migraine headache. The exact way ergoloid mesylates acts on the body is not known.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using ergoloid mesylates
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Almotriptan
- Amprenavir
- Atazanavir
- Cobicistat
- Darunavir
- Fosamprenavir
- Frovatriptan
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Naratriptan
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Nirmatrelvir
- Ritonavir
- Rizatriptan
- Saquinavir
- Sumatriptan
- Telithromycin
- Voriconazole
- Zolmitriptan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Fluconazole
- Fluvoxamine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Delavirdine
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Grapefruit Juice
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Liver disease—Higher blood levels of ergoloid mesylates may occur, increasing the chance of side effects
- Low blood pressure or
- Other mental problems or
- Slow heartbeat—Ergoloid mesylates may make the condition worse
Proper use of ergoloid mesylates
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often or for a longer period of time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of unwanted effects.
For patients taking the sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets:
- Dissolve the tablet under your tongue. The sublingual tablet should not be chewed or swallowed, since it works much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while a tablet is dissolving.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (capsules, tablets, sublingual tablets, or oral solution):
- Adults: 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) three times a day.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions while using ergoloid mesylates
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working and to check for unwanted effects.
It may take several weeks for this medicine to work. However, do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.
Side Effects of ergoloid mesylates
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- skin rash
- slow pulse
Signs and symptoms of overdose
- Blurred vision
- dizziness
- fainting
- flushing
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach cramps
- stuffy nose
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare
- Soreness under tongue (with sublingual use)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related/similar drugs
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Hydergine
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Antimigraine
Chemical Class: Ergot Alkaloid
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