What is Cafergot?

Cafergot is a combination of ergotamine and caffeine is used to treat or prevent certain types of headaches (vascular headaches including migraine and cluster headaches). Headache pain can sometimes be caused by widened blood vessels in the head. Ergotamine works by narrowing these widened blood vessels. Caffeine increases the absorption of ergotamine and also narrows widened blood vessels.

Always read the patient information and instructions carefully before using this medication.

• Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 tablets at the first sign of headache, followed by 1 tablet every half hour until the headache is relieved.
• Do not take more than 6 tablets per headache attack or 10 tablets in a 7-day period.
• If your doctor has prescribed this medication to help prevent certain types of headaches (such as cluster headaches), take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor, usually for short-term treatment (2 to 3 weeks).
• This medication is usually taken only as needed. It is not meant for long-term daily use.
• Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
• If you are using drugs for migraine attacks on 10 or more days each month, the drugs may actually make your headaches worse (medication overuse headache). Do not use medications more often or for longer than directed. Tell your doctor if you need to use this medication more often, or if the medication is not working as well, or if your headaches get worse.

Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• If you have any drug allergies.
• Which other prescription and non-prescription medications you currently take.
• Your medical history, especially of: blood circulation problems (for example, in your legs, arms/hands, or stomach), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol), stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack).
• If you have any of these conditions, including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, overweight, postmenopausal (women), age more than 40 years (men).
• If you are using marijuana.

Also be aware that:

• Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
• This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Remember that alcohol may cause headaches.
• Using tobacco/nicotine products while using this medication can increase the risk of serious side effects such as heart problems and decreased blood flow to the brain/hands/feet. Do not use tobacco while taking this medication. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking.
• Before having surgery or certain medical procedures (such as a heart stress test or a procedure to restore a normal heart rhythm if you have an unusually fast heartbeat), tell your doctor or dentist that you use this medication and about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) with your doctor. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
• This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Common side-effects may include but are not limited to:

• Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or dizziness.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side-effects:

• Slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, numbness/tingling in fingers/toes, blue fingers/toes/nails, cold hands/feet, muscle pain/weakness, severe stomach/abdominal pain, lower back pain, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
• Chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, slurred speech, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body.
• Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as rashes, itching, swelling especially of the face, tongue or throat, severe dizziness or trouble breathing.

Q:  What special dietary instructions should I follow?

A: Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.