Migergot Side Effects

Generic name: caffeine / ergotamine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 28, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Migergot Side Effects associated with caffeine / ergotamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Migergot.

Applies to caffeine / ergotamine: oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

• rectal suppository

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it.

Using this medicine could harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.

Do not use this medicine together with clarithromycin (Biaxin®), erythromycin (Erythrocin®), indinavir (Crixivan®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), ritonavir (Norvir®), or troleandomycin (Tao®).

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Signs of an overdose include: blurred vision, change in consciousness, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying position, headache, nervousness, numbness, tingling, pain, and bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds, loss of consciousness, pale, clammy skin, pounding in the ears, sweating, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause stomach problems (eg, retroperitoneal fibrosis). Check with your doctor right away if you have continuing or severe stomach pain, increased frequency of urination, continuing loss of appetite, lower back pain, continuing or severe nausea and vomiting, or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or tightness, or trouble breathing. These may be symptoms of a lung problem (eg, pleuropulmonary fibrosis).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Migergot

Along with its needed effects, caffeine/ergotamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking caffeine / ergotamine:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking caffeine / ergotamine:

Symptoms of overdose

• blurred vision
• change or loss of consciousness
• cold clammy skin
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• headache
• nervousness
• numbness, tingling, pain, and bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• severe sleepiness
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Other side effects of Migergot

Some side effects of caffeine / ergotamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to caffeine / ergotamine: oral tablet, rectal suppository.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse effects have included nausea and vomiting.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea
• Frequency not reported: Retroperitoneal fibrosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cerebral ischemia, drowsiness
• Frequency not reported: Weakness, somnolence, drug-induced headaches, withdrawal headaches^[Ref]

Reports of cerebral ischemia, including 1 death, have been reported for patients receiving ergotamine and protease inhibitors concomitantly. A black box warning is now required labeling for these drugs.

Drug-induced headaches have been reported during prolonged and uninterrupted use. Withdrawal headaches have been reported with discontinuation after prolonged use.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral vasoconstriction
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tachycardia, bradycardia, increased blood pressure
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, gangrene
• Frequency not reported: Ischemia, cyanosis, absence of pulse, cold extremities, precordial distress, EKG changes^[Ref]

Serious vasoconstrictive have occurred, more commonly with long-term therapy at relatively high doses, however, they have been reported with short-term or normal doses.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (Less than 0.1%): Dyspnea
• Frequency not reported: Pleuropulmonary fibrosis, fibrotic thickening of pulmonary valves

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Extremity pain
• Rare (Less than 0.1%): Myalgia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash, face edema, urticaria

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Visual impairment
• Postmarketing reports: Loss of vision

Sudden and transient loss of vision have been reported, possibly due to vasospasm and ischemic episode.

Local

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rectal or anal ulcer^[Ref]

Solitary rectal or anal ulcer have occurred, usually at higher than recommended doses or with continuous use for many years^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Vertigo^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Rare (Less than 0.1%): Rash, face edema, urticaria

See also:

Further information

Migergot side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer