(British Approved Name, rINN)
Drug Nomenclature
International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Synonyms: Dihidroergotamina; Dihydroergotamiini; Dihydroergotamin; DihydroergotaminumDihydroergotamine Mesilate
(British Approved Name Modified, rINNM)
Drug Nomenclature
INNs in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Pharmacopoeias. In Europe , Japan, and US.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Dihydroergotamine Mesilate). Colourless crystals or a white or almost white crystalline powder. Slightly soluble in water and in alcohol; sparingly soluble in methyl alcohol. A 0.1% solution in water has a pH of 4.4 to 5.4. Protect from light.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008, and Supplements 1 and 2 (Dihydroergotamine Mesylate). A white to slightly yellowish powder, or off-white to faintly red powder, having a faint odour. Soluble 1 in 125 of water, 1 in 90 of alcohol, 1 in 175 of chloroform, and 1 in 2600 of ether. pH of a 0.1% solution in water is between 4.4 and 5.4. Protect from light.
Dihydroergotamine Tartrate
(British Approved Name Modified, rINNM)
Drug Nomenclature
INNs in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Pharmacopoeias. In Europe.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Dihydroergotamine Tartrate). Colourless crystals or a white or almost white crystalline powder. Very slightly soluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol. A 0.1 % suspension in water has a pH of 4.0 to 5.5. Protect from light.
Adverse Effects and Treatment
As for Ergotamine Tartrate, although vasoconstriction may be less pronounced and the frequency of nausea and vomiting lower with dihydroergotamine mesilate than with ergotamine tartrate. Dihydroergotamine does not appear to produce physical dependence.
Effects on the cardiovascular system
There are conflicting reports on the risk of vasospasm in patients given dihydroergotamine with heparin for thromboembolism prophylaxis. Vasos-pastic or necrotic reactions have been reported on several occasions during such therapy. In an Austrian study of 147 290 patients given drug prophylaxis for thromboembolism, complications attributable to ergotism were seen in 142 of 61 092 (0.23%) who received dihydroergotamine and heparin.
Others, however, observed only 1 case of vasospasm in 5100 trauma patients (0.02%) given the combination. In 1989 the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee reported that up to the end of September 1987 the manufacturer had received 201 reports of vasospastic reactions associated with the use of Orstanorm (dihydroergotamine + lidocaine) with heparin. Permanent damage occurred in 59% of these patients.
Vasospastic reactions had occurred more frequently in patients who had undergone surgery for trauma and the prognosis for such patients was generally poorer than for others. Since the risk of permanent damage appeared to be related to treatment length the Committee recommended that this preparation should not be given for more than 7 days. The possibility of such reactions and the contra-indications of dihydroergotamine should be borne in mind when using this form of prophylaxis (see Venous Thromboembolism, under Uses, below).
Fibrosis
For reference to flbrosis associated with the administration of dihydroergotamine, see Methysergide Maleate.
Precautions
As for Ergotamine Tartrate.
Cardiovascular disorders
For specific contra-indications and precautions in cardiovascular disorders, see under Ergotamine.
Porphyria
Dihydroergotamine has been associated with acute attacks of porphyria and is considered unsafe in porphyric patients.
Interactions
As for Ergotamine.
Use with other vasoconstrictive drugs, including supplementary antimigraine treatment with ergotamine or sumatriptan, should be avoided.
Pharmacokinetics
Peak plasma-dihydroergotamine concentrations have been attained within about 1 to 2 hours after oral doses, about 30 minutes after intramuscular injection, about 15 to 45 minutes after subcutaneous injection, and about45 to 55 minutes after intranasal doses. However, the bioavailability of dihydroergotamine after oral doses is very low; values ranging from less than 0.1 to 1.5% have been reported. Although dihydroergotamine is incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, the low bioavailability is considered to be determined primarily by extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism. Bioavailability after intranasal doses is 43%. Dihydroergotamine is 90 to 95% bound to plasma proteins.
Dihydroergotamine undergoes extensive metabolism, the major metabolite, 8′-β-hydroxydihydroergotamine, being active. Plasma concentrations of this metabolite are greater than those of dihydroergotamine. A further oxidation step produces 8′,10′-dihydroxydihydroergotamine, which is also active. Other metabolites are also formed. Most of a dose is excreted as metabolites, mainly in the bile; 5 to 10% is excreted in the urine of which only trace amounts are of unchanged drug. The elimination of dihydroergotamine is biphasic; half-lives of about 1 to 2 hours and 22 to 32 hours have been reported for the 2 phases, respectively.
Uses and Administration
Dihydroergotamine is a semisynthetic ergot alkaloid that has weaker oxytocic and vasoconstrictor effects than ergotamine. Its activity as a 5-HT1 agonist is believed to contribute to its antimigraine action. It is used in the treatment of migraine and cluster headache, and in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. It has also been used for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (see below).
Dihydroergotamine is commonly used as the mesilate by subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection, although it may also be given as a nasal spray or orally.
For the treatment of migraine and to terminate an acute attack of cluster headache, dihydroergotamine mesilate is usually given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in doses of 1 mg repeated, if necessary, after 30 to 60 minutes up to a maximum daily dose of 3 mg. If a more rapid effect is desired it may be given intravenously in doses of 0.5 or 1 mg up to a maximum daily dose of 2 mg. The total weekly dose given by any route of injection should not exceed 6 mg.
The usual nasal dose of dihydroergotamine mesilate for an acute attack of migraine is 500 micrograms sprayed into each nostril as a 0.4% solution followed after 15 minutes by an additional 500 micrograms in each nostril. A total intranasal dose of 2 mg per attack should not be exceeded. In the USA, the maximum dose in 24 hours is 3 mg and in a 7-day period is 4 mg, while maximum daily doses of up to 4 mg with a maximum dose of 12 mg in a 7-day period have been given in other countries. In some countries it is given orally; up to 10 mg daily has been given orally for the treatment of acute attacks of migraine. Lower oral doses have been given in some countries for migraine prophylaxis.
Dihydroergotamine mesilate has also been used alone or with etilefrine hydrochloride (p. 1284) in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, in usual oral doses of up to 10 mg daily in divided doses. Doses of up to 40 to 60 mg have been used in some patients.
Dihydroergotamine tartrate has been used for indications similar to those of the mesilate.
Medication-overuse headache
Dihydroergotamine may be used in the treatment of medication-overuse headache, including symptoms of ergotamine withdrawal.
Migraine and cluster headache
Although sumatriptan is often the treatment of choice to abort acute attacks of migraine that do not respond to simple analgesic preparations, parenteral dihydroergotamine, especially with an antiemetic, is an alternative for patients who develop severe or refractory migraine. Preparations for intranasal use are also available; in some countries, it is given orally. In a comparative study, relief of migraine was slower after subcutaneous dihydroergotamine than after subcutaneous sumatriptan, but headache recurred less often. In other studies, intranasal dihydroergotamine was not as effective as subcutaneous or intranasal sumatriptan. Dihydroergotamine is also used in the treatment of cluster headache, usually in emergency settings, where it is given to abort individual headache attacks.
Orthostatic hypotension
Dihydroergotamine may be of use in patients with refractory orthostatic hypotension. It is sometimes used in preparations with sympathomimetics such as etilefrine. After parenteral dihydroergotamine, standing blood pressure is increased, but total peripheral resistance and supine blood pressure are also increased. It does not prevent postprandial hypotension, presumably because it does not constrict the splanchnic veins, although use with caffeine may overcome this problem. The main disadvantage of dihydroergotamine, however, is that it is ineffective, or at best weakly effective, when given by mouth, although there has been some evidence that oral ergotamine tartrate may be of value.
Dihydroergotamine has been suggested for use in the prevention of hypotension associated with epidural or spinal anaesthesia, the usual management of which is discussed in Treatment of Adverse Effects of Local Anaesthetics. It has also been tried in the management of hypotension associated with haemodialysis.
Venous thromboembolism
Standard prophylaxis for surgical patients at high risk of venous thromboembolism is usually with heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin. Dihydroergotamine can reduce venous stasis by vasoconstriction of capacitance vessels and has enhanced postoperative prophylaxis when used with heparin. Doses of dihydroergotamine mesilate 500 micrograms with heparin 5000 units, both given subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery, have been used. This regimen has then been given every 8 to 12 hours for 5 to 14 days depending on the risk of thrombosis.
The use of dihydroergotamine with low-molecular-weight heparin has been shown to be of similar efficacy to dihydroergotamine with heparin but might offer a more convenient dosing schedule. However, although dihydroergotamine might enhance the effect of heparin, a US National Institutes of Health consensus conference warned of the potential risk associated with its vasoconstrictive effects, and the contraindications to its use. In 1989 the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee recommended that dihydroergotamine with heparin should not be given for more than 7 days (see Effects on the Cardiovascular System, under Adverse Effects, above).
Preparations
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008, and Supplements 1 and 2: Dihydroergotamine Mesylate Injection.
Single-ingredient Preparations
The symbol ¤ denotes a preparation which is discontinued or no longer actively marketed
Australia: Dihydergot;
Austria: Adhaegon¤; Detemes; DHE; Dihydergot; Divegal; Ergont; Ergovasan; Migranal;
Belgium: Diergo; Dihydergot; Dystonal¤; Ikaran¤;
Brazil: Dihydergot¤; Canada: Migranal;
Czech Republic: Clavigrenin; Dihydergot;
Finland: Orstanorm;
France: Dergiflux¤; Dergolyoc¤; Dergotamine¤; Ikaran; Seglor; Tamik;
Germany: Agit; Angionorm; Clavigrenin¤; DET MS spezial; DET MS; DHE; Dihydergot¤; Dihytamin; Endophleban¤; Erganton; Ergomimet; Ergont; ergotam; Morena¤; Tonopres¤; Verladyn;
Greece: Dihydergot; Pervone¤; Verteblan¤;
Hong Kong: Tamik¤; India: Dihydergot; Migranil;
Italy: Diidergot; Ikaran; Migranal¤; Seglor;
Mexico: Dihydergot; Netherlands: Dihydergot¤;
Portugal: Dihydergot¤; Seglor;
South Africa: Dihydergot¤; Spain: Dihydergot; Tenuatina¤;
Sweden: Migranal¤; Orstanorm; Switzerland: Dihydergot; Ergont¤; Ergotonine; Ikaran;
Thailand: Poligot; United Kingdom: Dihydergot¤; Migranal¤;
United States: DHE; Migranal;
Venezuela: Dihydergot
Multi-ingredient Preparations
Argentina: Parsel¤; Polper Vascular;
Austria: Agilan; Cedanon¤; Defluina; Dihydergot; Effortil comp; Embolex¤; Hypodyn; Tonopan; Troparin compositum; Veno¤; Venotop; Wallerox¤;
Brazil: Cefalium; Cefaliv; Enxak; Migraliv; Parcel; Tonopan; Vasofluina¤;
Chile: Emagrip; Migratapsin; Migrax; Parsel¤;
France: Diergospray;
Germany: Agit plus; Ansudoral¤; Dihydergot plus; Effortil plus; Embolex NM¤; Ergo-Lonarid PD¤; Ergo-Lonarid¤; Ergodystan¤; Ergolefrin; Ergomimet plus; Optalidon special NOC¤; Venelbin¤;
Mexico: Parsel; Tonopan;
Norway: Dihydergot¤;
Spain: Tonopan;
Sweden: Orstanorm med heparin¤;
Switzerland: Addergit¤; Dihydergot plus; Dihydergot; Effortil plus; Embolex LM¤; Silentan¤; Tonopan;
Venezuela: Difen; Dol; Ivagan; Letydol; Parsel; Tainol
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.