Before taking Sansert (methysergide), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to Sansert (methysergide); or to other ergot alkaloids (e.g., methylergonovine); or to a certain yellow dye (tartrazine) found in some brands; or to aspirin (because some aspirin-allergic people are also allergic to tartrazine); or if you have any other allergies.
Sansert (methysergide) should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), blood vessel disease (e.g., peripheral vascular disease, hardening/inflammation of the arteries, blood clots, Raynaud's disease, stroke), uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart valve problems), scarring caused by a drug (e.g., retroperitoneal fibrosis), severe infection (e.g., cellulitis of the legs/feet, sepsis), severe liver disease, certain lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis), severe kidney disease, certain types of migraine (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), nutrient deficiency (malnutrition), urinary blockage.
Before using Sansert (methysergide), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure (controlled), stomach/intestinal ulcers.
Sansert (methysergide) may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any other activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Remember that alcohol may cause headaches.
Smoking can make headaches worse. Do not smoke.
Sansert (methysergide) is not recommended for use in children because of the risk of scarring (fibrosis).
Sansert (methysergide) may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it must not be used during pregnancy. It is recommended that women use 2 effective forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) while taking Sansert (methysergide). If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control.
Sansert (methysergide) may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using Sansert (methysergide). 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 away from sunlight 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.
When starting Sansert (methysergide), take it at night with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. As your doctor increases your dose, Sansert (methysergide) is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day with meals. Your dosage depends on your condition and response to treatment.
Your doctor may direct you to take a low dose at first, gradually increasing the dose to lower the chance of side effects such as nausea. Your doctor will adjust your dose to find the best dose for you. Follow your doctor's directions carefully. The usual maximum dose for adults is 12 milligrams of Sansert (methysergide) each day.
Take Sansert (methysergide) regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. If you are using Sansert (methysergide) for headaches that occur in groups for periods of time (cluster headaches), it is usually taken only during the cluster and stopped after the cluster is over. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
Very serious side effects may occur when Sansert (methysergide) is taken continuously for a long time. Do not take Sansert (methysergide) for more than 6 months in a row. (See also Warning section.) Sansert (methysergide) is for prevention. Do not use Sansert (methysergide) to treat a current headache.
Do not stop taking Sansert (methysergide) without consulting your doctor. Your headaches may become worse ("rebound headache") when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your doctor will direct you to stop taking the medication by gradually lowering your dose over 2 to 3 weeks. After properly stopping the medication, do not take it again for 3 to 4 weeks as directed by your doctor.
Sansert (methysergide) usually starts to work in 1 to 2 days. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 3 weeks.
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, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach upset, heartburn, trouble sleeping, and flushing may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Sansert (methysergide) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Sansert (methysergide) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur: dizziness (especially upon standing), tingling/pain/coldness in the fingers/toes, whitish fingers/toes/nails, loss of feeling in the fingers/toes, bluish hands/feet, muscle pain/weakness, unusual weight gain.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, confusion, slurred speech.
A very serious scarring/thickening of the lining in the lungs, around the heart, and in the abdomen/pelvis may occur. Stop taking Sansert (methysergide) and tell your doctor immediately if any of these effects occur: shortness of breath, tightness/pain in the chest, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, lower back pain, leg cramps, pain/redness/swelling of the legs/feet, severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in the amount/color of urine, difficult/painful urination, unusual weakness/tiredness.
A very serious allergic reaction to Sansert (methysergide) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: 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, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Sansert 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 Sansert (methysergide), 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.
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.
Sansert (methysergide) should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove Sansert (methysergide) from your body (e.g., azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, HIV drugs such as delavirdine, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), other ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergonovine), smoking/nicotine products (e.g., patches, gum), sibutramine.
If you also take "triptan" migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, rizatriptan), you will need to separate your "triptan" dose from your dose of Sansert (methysergide) to reduce the risk of serious side effects. Ask your doctor how long you should wait between your doses of these drugs.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Sansert (methysergide).
Before using Sansert (methysergide), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: drugs for diabetes (e.g., insulin, tolbutamide), nitrates (e.g., isosorbide, nitroglycerin), SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, other migraine medications) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
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.