Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 1984 Aug;30(2):179-83.

Modern ergotism

A M MacGuire, J T Cassidy
  • PMID: 6087649
Case Reports

Modern ergotism

A M MacGuire et al. Am Fam Physician. 1984 Aug.

Abstract

A patient taking excessive amounts of an ergot alkaloid for the treatment of migraine headaches developed cool, painful, swollen lower extremities with intermittent claudication and sensory changes. Symptoms subsided and pulses returned within a day of cessation of therapy. "St. Anthony's fire" may be due to stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the peripheral vasculature. Rebound headache after withdrawal of ergot alkaloids may lead to self-medication and overdosage, with subsequent risk of ergotism.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources