Before taking Cafergot, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ergotamine or caffeine; or to other ergot alkaloids (e.g., dihydroergotamine) or to other xanthine drugs (e.g., theophylline); or if you have any other allergies.
Cafergot should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: blood circulation disease (e.g., peripheral vascular disease such as arteriosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, Raynaud's disease), uncontrolled high blood pressure, nutrient deficiency (malnutrition), heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, recent heart attack), liver disease, kidney disease, severe infection, severe itching.
Before using Cafergot, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: abnormal heart rhythm, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure (controlled), stomach problems (e.g., ulcers).
Cafergot may make you dizzy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. Remember that alcohol may be a cause of headaches.
Cafergot may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it must not be used during pregnancy. It is recommended that men and women use two effective forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pill) while taking Cafergot. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control.
Cafergot may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Cafergot. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Take Cafergot by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor.
Dosage of Cafergot is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Cafergot works best if it is taken as the first signs of the headache occur. If you wait until the headache has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
Cafergot usually should be taken only as needed. It is not meant for long-term daily use. The maximum dose is 6 tablets for a single headache attack and 10 tablets in any 7-day period.
Cafergot may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time (more than a few weeks) or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop Cafergot, "rebound headaches" may occur. This headache may be different from your original headache and may last a few days. Report any such headaches to your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Cafergot unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Inform your doctor if you notice increased use of Cafergot, the medication not working as well, a worsening of headaches, an increase in the number of headaches, or use of Cafergot for more than 2 headache episodes a week. Your doctor may need to change your medication and/or add a separate medication to prevent the headaches.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, restlessness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Cafergot because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Cafergot do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, tingling/pain/coldness in the fingers/toes, whitish fingers/toes/nails, loss of feeling in the fingers/toes, bluish hands/feet, muscle pain/weakness, severe stomach/abdominal pain, lower back pain, little or no urine.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, vision changes, confusion, slurred speech.
A very serious allergic reaction to Cafergot is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Cafergot side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Cafergot, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
(See also Warning section and How to Use section.)
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Cafergot should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: delavirdine, efavirenz, sibutramine.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Cafergot.
Before using Cafergot, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: adenosine, certain beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), cimetidine, dopamine, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove ergotamine from your body (such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, metronidazole, nefazodone, zileuton), lithium, nicotine (e.g., nicotine gum, nicotine patches), nitrates (e.g., isosorbide, nitroglycerin), other ergot alkaloids (e.g., methysergide), theophylline.
If you also take "triptan" migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, rizatriptan), you will need to separate your "triptan" dose from your dose of Cafergot to reduce the risk of serious side effects. Ask your doctor how long you should wait between your doses of these drugs.
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, other migraine medications) because they may contain caffeine or other ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Also keep in mind that certain beverages (e.g., coffee, colas, tea) contain caffeine. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
Cafergot may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (including dipyridamole-thallium imaging tests, urine catecholamine levels, urine 5-HIAA levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Cafergot.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.