Ergoloid Mesylates

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2023.

Pronunciation

(ER goe loid MES i lates)

Index Terms

Dihydroergotoxine
Dihydrogenated Ergot Alkaloids
Hydergine [DSC]

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Tablet, Oral:

Generic: 1 mg

Pharmacologic Category

Ergot Derivative

Pharmacology

Ergoloid mesylates do not have the vasoconstrictor effects of the natural ergot alkaloids; exact mechanism in dementia is unknown; originally classed as peripheral and cerebral vasodilator, now considered a "metabolic enhancer"; there is no specific evidence that clearly establishes the mechanism by which ergoloid mesylate preparations produce mental effects, nor is there conclusive evidence that the drug particularly affects cerebral arteriosclerosis or cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Absorption

Rapid yet incomplete

Metabolism

Hepatic, including first-pass metabolism

Time to Peak

Serum: 1.5 to 3 hours

Half-Life Elimination

Serum: ~2.6 to 5.1 hours

Use: Labeled Indications

Mental capacity decline: Treatment of signs and symptoms of an idiopathic decline in mental capacity.

Note: Individuals who do respond come from groups of patients who would be considered clinically to suffer from some ill-defined process related to aging or to have some underlying dementing condition (ie, primary progressive dementia, Alzheimer dementia, senile onset, multi-infarct dementia).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to ergoloid mesylates, ergot, or any component of the formulation; acute or chronic psychosis; concurrent use with potent inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP-450) 3A4 (includes protease inhibitors, azole antifungals, and some macrolide antibiotics).

Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Severe bradycardia; severe hypotension.

Documentation of allergenic cross-reactivity for ergot alkaloids is limited. However, because of similarities in chemical structure and/or pharmacologic actions, the possibility of cross-sensitivity cannot be ruled out with certainty.

Dosing: Adult

Mental capacity decline: Oral: 1 mg 3 times daily; results may not be observed until 3 to 4 weeks.

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Dosing: Geriatric

Avoid use (Beers Criteria [AGS 2019]).

Storage

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).

Drug Interactions

Abametapir: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Avoid combination

Antihepaciviral Combination Products: May increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Aprepitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Beta-Blockers: May enhance the vasoconstricting effect of Ergot Derivatives. Management: Avoid coadministration of beta-blockers and ergot derivatives whenever possible. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, monitor patients closely for evidence of excessive peripheral vasoconstriction. Consider therapy modification

Chloroprocaine: May enhance the hypertensive effect of Ergot Derivatives. Monitor therapy

Clofazimine: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Conivaptan: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Avoid combination

CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate): May decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Strong): May decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Management: Consider avoiding this combination. Some combinations are specifically contraindicated by manufacturers; others may have recommended dose adjustments. If combined, monitor for increased substrate effects. Consider therapy modification

Duvelisib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Erdafitinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Fosaprepitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Fosnetupitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Fusidic Acid (Systemic): May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Avoid combination

Idelalisib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Avoid combination

Itraconazole: May increase the serum concentration of Ergoloid Mesylates. Avoid combination

Ketoconazole (Systemic): May increase the serum concentration of Ergoloid Mesylates. Avoid combination

Larotrectinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Letermovir: May increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Lisuride: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Lorcaserin (Withdrawn From US Market): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Ergot Derivatives. Specifically, use of these drugs together may increase the risk of developing valvular heart disease. Lorcaserin (Withdrawn From US Market) may enhance the serotonergic effect of Ergot Derivatives. This could result in serotonin syndrome. Avoid combination

Macrolide Antibiotics: May increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Cabergoline and Clarithromycin may interact, see specific monograph for full details. Avoid combination

MiFEPRIStone: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Management: Minimize doses of CYP3A4 substrates, and monitor for increased concentrations/toxicity, during and 2 weeks following treatment with mifepristone. Avoid cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus. Consider therapy modification

Nefazodone: Ergot Derivatives may enhance the serotonergic effect of Nefazodone. This could result in serotonin syndrome. Nefazodone may increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Netupitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Nitroglycerin: Ergot Derivatives may diminish the vasodilatory effect of Nitroglycerin. This is of particular concern in patients being treated for angina. Nitroglycerin may increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Palbociclib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Posaconazole: May increase the serum concentration of Ergoloid Mesylates. Avoid combination

Protease Inhibitors: May increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Reboxetine: May enhance the hypertensive effect of Ergot Derivatives. Monitor therapy

Roxithromycin: May increase the serum concentration of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Serotonergic Agents (High Risk): Ergot Derivatives may enhance the serotonergic effect of Serotonergic Agents (High Risk). This could result in serotonin syndrome. Management: Monitor for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome/serotonin toxicity (eg, hyperreflexia, clonus, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, tremor, autonomic instability, mental status changes) when these agents are combined. Monitor therapy

Serotonin 5-HT1D Receptor Agonists (Triptans): Ergot Derivatives may enhance the vasoconstricting effect of Serotonin 5-HT1D Receptor Agonists (Triptans). Serotonin 5-HT1D Receptor Agonists (Triptans) may enhance the vasoconstricting effect of Ergot Derivatives. Avoid combination

Simeprevir: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Monitor therapy

Stiripentol: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates (High risk with Inhibitors). Management: Use of stiripentol with CYP3A4 substrates that are considered to have a narrow therapeutic index should be avoided due to the increased risk for adverse effects and toxicity. Any CYP3A4 substrate used with stiripentol requires closer monitoring. Consider therapy modification

Voriconazole: May increase the serum concentration of Ergoloid Mesylates. Avoid combination

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

Frequency not defined. Adverse effects are minimal.

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, flushing, orthostatic hypotension

Dermatologic: Skin rash

Gastrointestinal: Gastrointestinal distress (sublingual administration), nausea (sublingual administration; transient)

Local: Local irritation (sublingual administration)

Ophthalmic: Blurred vision

Respiratory: Nasal congestion

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Cardiac valvular fibrosis: Ergot alkaloids have been associated with fibrotic valve thickening (eg, aortic, mitral, tricuspid); usually associated with long-term, chronic use.

• Pleural/retroperitoneal fibrosis: Rare cases of pleural and/or retroperitoneal fibrosis have been reported with prolonged daily use.

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: Careful diagnosis should be attempted before prescribing. Because target symptoms are of unknown etiology, exclude potentially reversible and treatable conditions; particular care should be taken to exclude delirium and dementiform illness secondary to systemic disease, primary neurological disease, or primary disturbance of mood.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat dementia.

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:

• Abdominal pain

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:

• Severe nausea

• Severe vomiting

• 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.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a limited summary of general information about the medicine's uses from the patient education leaflet and is not intended to be comprehensive. This limited summary does NOT include all information available about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. For a more detailed summary of information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the entire patient education leaflet.