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Can you take Ergonovine with Primatene?

1 drug interaction and 17 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Major drug interactions

Major:

ergonovine ePHEDrine

Applies to: ergonovine and Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin)

Using ergonovine together with ePHEDrine is generally not recommended.

Ergonovine may cause significant increases in blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels, and the risk for complications may be increased when used with other drugs that also have this effect such as decongestants, stimulants, and certain medications for headache, glaucoma, or eye redness relief.

Combining these medications may also reduce blood flow to vital organs and increase the risk of rare but serious side effects such as:

  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • intestinal problems
  • gangrene (death of tissues, usually in the arm or leg, that may require surgical amputation)

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications.

What to watch for: You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, numbness or tingling, muscle pain or weakness, blue or purple discoloration of fingers or toes, pale or cold skin, chest pain or tightness, severe or throbbing headache, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, and/or slurred speech during treatment with these medications.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

ergonovine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: ergonovine

Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as ergonovine.

You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with ergonovine. However, if you have been regularly consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication, then it is advisable for you to talk with your doctor before changing the amounts of these products in your diet, as this may alter the effects of your medication.

Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects.

Orange juice is not expected to interact.

Moderate:

ePHEDrine Caffeine

Applies to: Primatene (ephedrine / guaifenesin)

Both ePHEDrine and caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects.

Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

15 potential interactions Applies to: 13 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, and Tachyarrhythmia.

Arteriovenous Shunting

Major:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a major potential interaction with Arteriovenous Shunting.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, can cause serious cardiovascular complications because of their vasospastic effects. Hypertension (more often with ergonovine) has been most commonly reported, particularly when administered IV undiluted or at an excessive rate or when used in conjunction with regional anesthesia or vasoconstrictors. Headaches, seizures, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been associated with the hypertensive episodes. Other, less common adverse effects include acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, thrombophlebitis, tachycardia and palpitations. Therapy with ergot alkaloids should generally be avoided, except under special circumstances, in patients with chronic hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Caution is advised when these agents are administered to patients with venoatrial shunts, mitral valve stenosis, or sepsis. Close monitoring of cardiovascular status is highly recommended during therapy.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Moderate:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.

Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders

Major:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, can cause serious cardiovascular complications because of their vasospastic effects. Hypertension (more often with ergonovine) has been most commonly reported, particularly when administered IV undiluted or at an excessive rate or when used in conjunction with regional anesthesia or vasoconstrictors. Headaches, seizures, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been associated with the hypertensive episodes. Other, less common adverse effects include acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, thrombophlebitis, tachycardia and palpitations. Therapy with ergot alkaloids should generally be avoided, except under special circumstances, in patients with chronic hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Caution is advised when these agents are administered to patients with venoatrial shunts, mitral valve stenosis, or sepsis. Close monitoring of cardiovascular status is highly recommended during therapy.

Major:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.

Cerebrovascular Insufficiency

Major:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause increases in blood glucose concentrations. These effects are usually transient and slight but may be significant with dosages higher than those normally recommended. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate.

Moderate:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Ephedrine may produce slight increases in blood glucose concentrations. Therapy with ephedrine should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate. It is important that the recommended dosages of ephedrine are not exceeded.

High Blood Pressure

Major:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a major potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

The use of the amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, is considered by some clinicians to be contraindicated in patients with hypertension. These agents can cause hypertension, particularly when administered IV undiluted or at an excessive rate or when used in conjunction with regional anesthesia or vasoconstrictors. Headaches, seizures, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been associated with the hypertensive episodes. Patients with chronic hypertension or preeclampsia may be at increased risk for these complications. Of the two agents, methylergonovine has less tendency to cause hypertension, although preferably neither agent should be administered to at- risk patients.

Hyperthyroidism

Major:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, appear to be eliminated by both renal and hepatic routes. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from these agents due to decreased drug clearance. Caution is advised if these agents are used. Dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Pheochromocytoma

Major:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.

Prostate Tumor, Benign

Moderate:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Prostate Tumor, Benign.

Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, appear to be eliminated by both renal and hepatic routes. Patients with renal and/or liver disease may be at greater risk for adverse effects from these agents due to decreased drug clearance. Caution is advised if these agents are used. Dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Tachyarrhythmia

Major:

ergonovine

Ergonovine has a major potential interaction with Tachyarrhythmia.

The amine ergot alkaloids, ergonovine and methylergonovine, can cause serious cardiovascular complications because of their vasospastic effects. Hypertension (more often with ergonovine) has been most commonly reported, particularly when administered IV undiluted or at an excessive rate or when used in conjunction with regional anesthesia or vasoconstrictors. Headaches, seizures, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been associated with the hypertensive episodes. Other, less common adverse effects include acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, thrombophlebitis, tachycardia and palpitations. Therapy with ergot alkaloids should generally be avoided, except under special circumstances, in patients with chronic hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. Caution is advised when these agents are administered to patients with venoatrial shunts, mitral valve stenosis, or sepsis. Close monitoring of cardiovascular status is highly recommended during therapy.

Urinary Tract Obstruction

Moderate:

Primatene

The ePHEDrine in Primatene has a moderate potential interaction with Urinary Tract Obstruction.

Sympathomimetic agents such as ephedrine have the potential for producing clinically significant systemic effects, particularly during prolonged or indiscriminate use. In patients with prostate enlargement, urinary difficulty may develop or worsen due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with ephedrine should be administered cautiously in patients with difficulty for urination due to hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate. It is important that the recommended dosages are not exceeded.

More resources

ergonovine

A total of 284 drugs are known to interact with ergonovine.

Primatene

A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with Primatene.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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