D.H.E. 45

Generic name: Dihydroergotamine Injection [ dye-hye-droe-er-GOT-a-meen ]
Drug class: Antimigraine agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 12, 2024.

Uses of D.H.E. 45:

• It is used to treat migraine headaches.
• It is used to treat cluster headaches.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take D.H.E. 45?

• If you have an allergy to dihydroergotamine or any other part of D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection).
• If you are allergic to D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection); any part of D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: High blood pressure or some types of migraine headaches like hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
• If you have any of these health problems: Blood vessel problems, chest pain or pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, poor blood flow, very bad infection, or recent blood vessel surgery.
• If you have ever had a heart attack.
• If you have taken almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan in the last 24 hours.
• If you have taken ergotamine, methysergide, or any drug like them in the last 24 hours.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection) if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take D.H.E. 45?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine is not meant for regular, daily use. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine is not meant to prevent or lower the number of migraine headaches you get.
• Do not use more than what your doctor told you to use. Do not use more often or longer than what you were told. Doing any of these things may raise the chance of very bad side effects.
• Use care if you have risks for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, high blood sugar or diabetes, cigarette smoking, man older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, woman after change of life). Talk with your doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly side effects like a heartbeat that does not feel normal, heart attack, stroke, and very bad high blood pressure have happened with D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection). Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection), call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (D.H.E. 45) best taken?

Use D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into a muscle, vein, or into the fatty part of the skin.
• If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• This medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Change in color of hands or feet from pale to blue or red.
• Numbness, pain, tingling, or cold feeling of the hands or feet.
• Any sores or wounds on the fingers or toes.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Muscle cramps.
• Swelling.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Rarely, heart valve problems have happened with D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection). Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling in the arms or legs, or a big weight gain.

Related/similar drugs

Ubrelvy, prednisone, ibuprofen, amitriptyline, diclofenac, propranolol, topiramate, celecoxib, sumatriptan, indomethacin

What are some other side effects of D.H.E. 45?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out D.H.E. 45?

• Most of the time, D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection) will be given in a hospital or doctor's office. If stored at home, follow how to store as you were told by the doctor.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about D.H.E. 45 (dihydroergotamine injection), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the new drugs for the treatment of migraines?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer