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Ergonovine Dosage

Applies to the following strengths: 0.2 mg; 0.2 mg/mL

Usual Adult Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Prevention of postpartum bleeding: 0.2 mg IM immediately following delivery of placenta

In emergency situations when excessive uterine bleeding has occurred: 0.2 mg IV

  • IV doses should be administered over a period of not less than 1 minute; monitor blood pressure and uterine contractions carefully

Doses may be repeated every 2 to 4 hours as needed up to a total of 5 doses

Comments:
  • IV doses should be diluted in 5 mL 0.9% sodium chloride prior to administration.
  • In some calcium deficient patients, the uterus may not respond to this drug; in such cases, responsiveness can be restored by cautious calcium IV administration.

Uses: For the prevention or treatment of postpartum or post-abortal hemorrhage due to uterine atony.

Usual Adult Dose for Postpartum Bleeding

Prevention of postpartum bleeding: 0.2 mg IM immediately following delivery of placenta

In emergency situations when excessive uterine bleeding has occurred: 0.2 mg IV

  • IV doses should be administered over a period of not less than 1 minute; monitor blood pressure and uterine contractions carefully

Doses may be repeated every 2 to 4 hours as needed up to a total of 5 doses

Comments:
  • IV doses should be diluted in 5 mL 0.9% sodium chloride prior to administration.
  • In some calcium deficient patients, the uterus may not respond to this drug; in such cases, responsiveness can be restored by cautious calcium IV administration.

Uses: For the prevention or treatment of postpartum or post-abortal hemorrhage due to uterine atony.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

CA BOXED WARNING: Serious Warnings and Precautions and Serious Drug Interactions:

  • Because nausea and vomiting may occur, this drug should be administered with care to patients under general anesthesia
  • Use with caution in patients with heart disease; coronary vasoconstriction may occur
  • Prolonged therapy may lead to gangrene and other signs of ergotism
  • Serious Drug Interactions: A significant increase in blood pressure may occur, especially when a regional anesthetic containing a vasopressor drug has been used. Avoid prolonged administration or concomitant use of other vasoconstrictors.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:
  • Previous idiosyncrasy or allergic reactions to ergot preparations
  • Toxemia
  • Hypertension
  • Threatened spontaneous abortion
  • Induction of labor
  • Women taking HIV protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

  • IM administration is preferred route
  • IV administration should be limited to severe hemorrhage due to uterine atony
  • IV administration must be over a period of not less than 1 minutes; preferably diluted in 5 mL 0.9% sodium chloride
  • Blood pressure and uterine contractions should be carefully monitored following IV administration

Storage requirements:
  • Store between 2C and 8C; protect from light
  • Diluted doses may be stored at 15C to 30C for up to 4 hours

IV compatibility:
  • May be diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to IV administration; avoid mixing with other drugs
  • This drug has been reported to be incompatible with solutions containing the following: adrenaline hydrochloride, amylobarbitone sodium, ampicillin sodium, cephalothin sodium, chloramphenicol sodium succinate, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, heparin sodium, metaraminol tartrate, methicillin sodium, nitrofurantoin sodium, novobiocin sodium, pentobarbitone sodium, sulfadiazine sodium, sulfafurazole diethanolamine, thiopentone sodium, vitamin B complex with C, warfarin sodium

General:
  • This drug should be administered under medical supervision.
  • The placenta should be delivered, and the possibility of twin pregnancy should be ruled out prior to administration of this drug
  • In some calcium deficient patients, the uterus may not respond to this drug. Responsiveness can be restored by cautious IV administration of calcium salts.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer