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Ergomar

ergotamine
Used for Migraine, Cluster Headache
Used for Migraine, Cluster Headache

Ergomar (ergotamine) treats migraines. It's an ergot medication. It works by lessening inflammation in the brain and calming certain parts of the brain. Ergomar (ergotamine) is a brand-name medication that comes as sublingual tablets for adults. You place it under the tongue to dissolve as soon as you feel like you're about to have a migraine or headache. Side effects include nausea and vomiting.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Aileen Chu, PharmD, BCPS
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 11, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Ergomar (ergotamine)?

What is Ergomar (ergotamine) used for?

How Ergomar (ergotamine) works

Ergomar (ergotamine) is an ergot medication. It tightens the blood vessels in the brain, which lessens inflammation in the brain. It also calms certain parts of the brain. By working in these two ways, Ergomar (ergotamine) helps relieve headache.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsErgomar
Drug ClassErgot derivative
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$1532.93(save 7.86%)
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What are the side effects of Ergomar (ergotamine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness

Other Side Effects

  • Muscle pain
  • Vertigo (feeling like your surroundings are spinning)
  • Fast or slow heartbeat
  • High blood pressure

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, loss of balance, blurry vision, confusion
  • Poor blood flow to hands and feet: pain, numbness, coldness, pale color in the hands or feet, weakness in arms or legs

Source: DailyMed

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Ergomar (ergotamine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Dissolves under the tongue, so it's easy to take

Can take a second tablet 30 minutes after you first take it if you need more relief

Can take on an as-needed basis

thumbs-down

Cons

Doesn't work as well as triptans

Not recommended for preventing migraines

Not for daily or long-term use

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Ergomar (ergotamine)

pharmacist

  • Take Ergomar (ergotamine) as soon as you feel a headache or migraine coming on. If you need more relief, you can take another tablet 30 minutes later.

    • Use dry hands to place the Ergomar (ergotamine) tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. Don't crush or swallow the tablet.

      • You can take Ergomar (ergotamine) with or without food. But avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice because it can cause more side effects.

        • Take Ergomar (ergotamine) only when needed. Don't take more than 3 tablets in a day and don't take more than 5 tablets in a week. Taking it too often can lead to more side effects, including worsened headaches (rebound headaches). Taking Ergomar (ergotamine) long term can also cause your body to depend on the medication.

          • Ergomar (ergotamine) can cause weakness. Make sure you know how the medication affects you before driving or operating heavy machinery.

            • Don't take Ergomar (ergotamine) at the same time as or within 24 hours of a triptan like sumatriptan (Imitrex). Taking them too close together can tighten your blood vessels too much. This can lead to dangerously high blood pressure, and in serious cases, a heart attack or stroke.

              • Make sure your prescriber and pharmacist know about all the medications you take. Your care team can help you watch out for dangerous drug interactions. Certain medications can raise your risk of serious side effects from Ergomar (ergotamine).

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Ergomar (ergotamine)

                When should you take Ergomar (ergotamine)?
                Take 1 tablet of Ergomar (ergotamine) as soon as you feel like you're about to have a migraine or headache. The medication might not work as well if you wait take it when your migraine gets more severe. You can take a second tablet after at least 30 minutes after your first if you need more relief. But don't take more than 3 tablets (6 mg) in 24 hours or more than 5 tablets (10 mg) in a week.
                Is Ergomar (ergotamine) a controlled substance?
                No. Ergomar (ergotamine) isn't a controlled substance. Controlled substances have a known risk of misuse or physical dependence. Still, some people have misused Ergomar (ergotamine) or become physically dependent on it. So to stay safe, don't take more than what's prescribed to you. Talk to your prescriber if you have concerns. You can also talk to them about other options for migraine relief if you think you're starting to take too much Ergomar (ergotamine).
                Is Ergomar (ergotamine) a triptan?
                No, Ergomar (ergotamine) isn't a tripan. It's an ergot medication. Both triptans and ergot medications help with migraines. But studies show that triptans might work better than Ergomar (ergotamine). For this reason, triptans are usually preferred over Ergomar (ergotamine). Talk to a healthcare professional to find the best option for you.
                Does Ergomar (ergotamine) cause high blood pressure?
                Yes, Ergomar (ergotamine) can cause high blood pressure. This is because the medication can tighten the blood vessels in the body. Let your prescriber know if you have a history of high blood pressure or other heart problems before starting Ergomar (ergotamine). They can make sure it's safe for you to take.
                Can you take Ergomar (ergotamine) for cluster headaches?
                Ergomar (ergotamine) is only approved for migraine headaches. But the European Academy of Neurology says that it might help with short-term prevention of cluster headaches. Keep in mind that this is off-label. In general though, Ergomar (ergotamine) is rarely used for cluster headaches because of its serious risks. Talk to a healthcare professional about options for cluster headaches.
                Is Ergomar (ergotamine) safe to take during pregnancy?
                No, it's not safe to take Ergomar (ergotamine) while pregnancy. This medication can cause less blood to flow through the placenta and to your baby. Based on animal studies, it's possible that this can affect your baby's growth. This medication can also cause uterine contractions. You can use a reliable form of birth control to prevent accidental pregnancy if you can have children and are sexually active. Talk to your prescriber or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) for safer options.
                Can you take Ergomar (ergotamine) if you're breastfeeding?
                Talk to your prescriber or your child's pediatrician before taking Ergomar (ergotamine) if you're breastfeeding. This medication can pass into breast milk. It might cause side effects in babies. These include vomiting, diarrhea, a weak pulse, and unstable blood pressure. Talk to a healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of taking this medication while breastfeeding. If you need other feeding options, you can also talk to a lactation consultant.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Ergomar (ergotamine)?

                Ergomar (ergotamine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Poor blood flow through the body

                • Risk factors: Taking more Ergomar (ergotamine) than prescribed

                  Although rare, Ergomar (ergotamine) can cause your blood to flow poorly through the body. It can happen at recommended doses and for the recommended amount of time. But it's more likely if you've taken too much medication.

                  Poor blood flow to the hands and feet can cause paleness, coldness, and numbness. If not treated right away, this can lead to tissue death (gangrene). What's more, poor blood flow to the brain can cause stroke.

                  Tell your prescriber right away if you have numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, muscle pain in the arms or legs, or weakness in the legs. These can be signs of poor blood flow. Call 911 right away if you have signs of a stroke, like numbness or weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, or trouble speaking or walking.

                  risk-warning

                  More severe blood circulation problems due to drug interactions

                  • Risk factors: Taking medications that can raise Ergomar (ergotamine) levels

                    Some medications can raise the levels of Ergomar (ergotamine) in the body. This is dangerous because it can greatly reduce blood flow throughout the body. It can affect the hands and feet, which can lead to tissue or muscle damage. It can also lessen blood flow to the brain and lead to a stroke.

                    Before taking Ergomar (ergotamine), tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. They can check for dangerous drug interactions and make sure your medications are safe for you to take together. Don't take Ergomar (ergotamine) with protease inhibitors like ritonavir (Norvir). Also don't take Ergomar (ergotamine) with macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin.

                    Call your prescriber if you have pain in your hands or feet or if they're pale in color, cold, or numb. Also let your prescriber know about any muscle weakness or pain. Get medical help right away if you have numbness or weakness on one side of the body, a droopy face, or trouble walking or speaking. These can be signs of serious blood circulation problems.

                    risk-warning

                    Fibrosis (scarring)

                    • Risk factors: Taking Ergomar (ergotamine) for a long tiime

                      In rare cases, people taking medications containing ergotamine and caffeine have developed fibrosis (scarring) in the stomach, lungs, or heart. This might be more likely to happen with long-term use of the medication.

                      To be safe, take Ergomar (ergotamine) only as needed. Talk to your prescriber about your options if you feel like you need to take this medication every day.

                      risk-warning

                      Harm to an unborn baby

                      • Risk factors: Currently pregnant

                        Don't take Ergomar (ergotamine) if you're pregnant. This medication can harm an unborn baby because it can affect blood flow to the placenta. It can also cause early contractions.

                        dosage

                        Ergomar (ergotamine) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 20 sublingual tablets of 2mg of Ergomar (ergotamine) is $1412.47 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 7.86% off the average retail price of $1532.93.
                        sublingual tablet
                        Sublingual tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        2mg20 sublingual tablets$1412.47$70.62

                        Typical dosing for Ergomar (ergotamine)

                        Place a 2 mg tablet under the tongue as soon as you feel like you're about to have a migraine or headache. Wait for the tablet to dissolve before swallowing the medication.

                        If your migraine or headache doesn't fully go away, you can take another tablet 30 minutes after your first dose. Don't take more than 6 mg (3 tablets) in 24 hours.

                        Don't take more than 10 mg (5 tablets) in a week.

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                        How much does Ergomar (ergotamine) cost?

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                        contraindications-icon

                        Ergomar (ergotamine) contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ergomar (ergotamine) will not be safe for you to take.
                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Ergomar (ergotamine)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ergomar (ergotamine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Ergomar (ergotamine)
                        Used for:
                        $1412.47 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Dihydroergotamine
                        Used for:

                        • Migraine headaches

                        • Cluster headaches – injection form only

                        $269.43 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine)
                        Used for:
                        $112.30 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Ailani, J., et al. (2021). The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache.

                        Brandt, R. B., et al. (2020). Pharmacotherapy for cluster headache. CNS Drugs.

                        DrugBank. (n.d.). Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A4 inhibitors (strong).

                        View All References (3)

                        May, A., et al. (2023). European Academy of Neurology guidelines on the treatment of cluster headache. European Journal of Neurology.

                        TerSera Therapeutics, LLC. (2024). Ergomar sublingual- ergotamine tartrate tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Tfelt-Hansen, P. C. (2014). Triptans and ergot alkaloids in the acute treatment of migraine: Similarities and differences. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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