Cafergot

A drug called cafergot is used to treat migraines. Ergotamine and caffeine are combined, and it narrows the blood vessels surrounding the brain to produce its effects. This aids in the reduction of migraine discomfort. Your doctor may prescribe cafergot to treat additional conditions.

A stimulant, caffeine helps to raise alertness and wakefulness. It functions by inhibiting the effects of adenosine, a substance that induces sleep. Vasoconstrictor ergotamine causes blood vessels to constrict. This aids in the reduction of migraine discomfort.

The drug cafergot is available as a tablet. To treat migraines, it is typically taken three times per day. It usually needs to be taken twice daily to prevent migraines.

Pharmacokinetics

Cafergot is quickly absorbed from the digestive system. Caffeine reaches its peak plasma levels in 30 to 60 minutes, whereas ergotamine does so in 1 to 2 hours. Caffeine and ergotamine have three to four and twenty-four hour elimination half-lives, respectively.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver metabolize cafergot. The majority of cafegot's metabolites are eliminated in the urine.

Side effects

Cafegot's most frequent adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Other adverse effects include headache, fatigue, drowsiness, and vertigo. Other serious side effects of cafegot include liver damage, seizures, and heart issues.

If you experience any of the aforementioned side effects, stop taking cafegot and get help right away.

Cautions

• If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not take cafergot. Additionally, it is not advised for kids under the age of 12.
• Numerous other medications and cafergot may interact negatively. As a result, you should inform your doctor about all of your prescription, over-the-counter, and dietary supplement medications.
• Cafergot can make you feel groggy and sleepy. In light of this, you should refrain from driving or using machinery until you are aware of its effects.
• Birth defects can also result from cafergot. Therefore, if you are taking cafegot and are of childbearing age, it is crucial that you use contraception.

Dosage and Administration

One or two tablets of cafegot, up to a maximum of six tablets in a 24-hour period, are typically taken every four hours to treat migraines. The typical dosage for migraine prevention is one tablet taken twice daily.

Take cafergot as soon as a migraine headache appears. Taking it with or without food is acceptable.

Overdose

A fatal overdose of cafegot is possible. An overdose manifests as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drowsiness, fatigue, and headache. Any of these symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention right away.

A cafegot overdose can also result in seizures, liver damage, and heart issues. Any of these symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention right away.

Storage

Store cafergot at room temperature in a cool, dry area. It ought to be kept out of reach of kids and animals.

Disposal

You should properly dispose of cafegot if you no longer need it or if it has expired. You can either dispose of it yourself or take it to a pharmacy for secure disposal.

If you choose to dispose of it yourself, combine it with something unpleasant like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Then you ought to seal it up in a trash bag or similar container before discarding it.