Appropriate use of ergotamine tartrate and dihydroergotamine in the treatment of migraine: current perspectives

Abstract

Considerable uncertainty exists regarding the appropriate use and dose limitations for ergotamine tartrate (ET) and dihydroergotamine (DHE) for the treatment of migraine despite more than 50 years of clinical experience. The Quality Standards Subcommittee (QSS) of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) appointed an advisory committee from experts in the Headache and Facial Pain Section. As their initial project, the committee elected to review the clinical literature on the appropriate use of these compounds in the treatment of migraine. Subsequently, clinical practice guidelines were formulated and recently published in Neurology. The Headache and Facial Plan Section and the QSS of the AAN were able to reach consensus on the basis of a thorough literature review and formulated practice parameters that describe and define the limits of ergot use, provide information on the oral and parenteral dosing of ET and DHE, and provide physicians with guidance to avoid ET overuse by patients. Because this project was completed prior to the availability of the intranasal (IN) formulation of DHE, intranasal DHE is not included in the practice parameter. Ergotamine tartrate and DHE were found to be safe and effective for the treatment of migraine as long as recommended dosages are not exceeded and high-risk patients such as those with uncontrolled hypertension, coronary or peripheral artery disease, thyrotoxicosis, or sepsis do not receive these compounds. In addition, the committee recommended restricting the use of ET in some instances because the overuse of ET has been associated with physical and psychological dependence resulting in predictable recurrent and/or rebound headaches, and subsequent severe withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, upon discontinuance of ET. None of these symptoms have been reported for DHE. These guidelines should help physicians provide optimal antimigraine therapy with these drugs.