D.H.E. 45 Side Effects

Generic name: dihydroergotamine

Note: This document contains side effect information about dihydroergotamine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name D.H.E. 45.

Some side effects of D.H.E. 45 may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to dihydroergotamine: injectable solution

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking dihydroergotamine (the active ingredient contained in D.H.E. 45) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using dihydroergotamine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or slow heart rate, swelling or itching in any part of your body;

• chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, and nausea, sweating, or general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness, sudden headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• leg weakness, muscle pain in your arms or legs;

• numbness, tingling, and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;

• stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody;

• cough with stabbing chest pain and trouble breathing; or

• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath).

Less serious side effects of dihydroergotamine may include:

• headache, dizziness, feeling anxious;

• diarrhea;

• sweating, mild skin rash, redness or tingly feeling under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to dihydroergotamine: injectable solution, nasal spray

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported to occur commonly.

The most frequent side effect with the use of intravenous dihydroergotamine is nausea. Following intramuscular or intranasal administration, the incidence of nausea is low.

Other

Other side effects including arterial spasm, sometimes with resulting limb necrosis, have been reported rarely. The incidence is believed to be about 1 to 3 per 100,000 patients treated for thromboprophylaxis.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects including muscle cramps and weakness have been reported.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including drowsiness, restlessness, cerebral arteriopathy, and paresthesias have been reported.

Local

Local side effects including pain, burning, itching, edemas, and hematomas at the site of parenteral administration have been reported to occur commonly.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including hypertension, tachycardia, bradycardia, precordial distress, and chest pain have been reported. Myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction have been reported rarely.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including pleural fibrosis have been reported following long-term high dose treatment.

Renal

Renal side effect including retroperitoneal fibrosis have been reported following long-term high dose treatment.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.