Ergomar (Ergotamine Tartrate) for Migraine

Ergomar (ergotamine tartrate) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used to stop or help prevent migraine headaches.

How Ergomar Works and How It’s Taken

Ergomar is a type of ergot medicine. It affects blood vessels and also has effects on serotonin, a chemical messenger in the body. This may help reduce blood vessel changes linked to headache symptoms. The exact way it works is not fully known.

Doctors prescribe Ergomar to stop a migraine attack or help prevent one.

Ergomar comes as a tablet that is placed under the tongue. For best results, it should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. If needed, additional tablets may be taken at set time intervals as directed.

Typical Dosing for Migraine

The recommended dose of Ergomar for migraine is one 2-milligram tablet placed under the tongue at the first sign of an attack or after symptoms begin. If needed, another tablet may be taken every 30 minutes.

The dose must not exceed three tablets in a 24-hour period, and the total dose must not exceed five tablets in one week. Ergomar should not be used every day for long periods of time.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Ergomar Side Effects

Common side effects of Ergomar include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Tingling or “pins-and-needles” feelings
Numbness
Weakness
Dizziness (vertigo)
Localized swelling
Itching

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Ergomar can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Vasoconstrictive complications — Serious blood vessel narrowing can reduce blood flow and cause cold hands or feet, blue or pale skin, weak or absent pulse, severe pain, or tissue damage, including gangrene.
Heart-related problems — These might include chest pain, changes on an electrocardiogram, fast or slow heart rate, or high blood pressure.
Fibrotic complications — Rare scarring can affect areas such as the lungs, the space behind the abdomen, or heart valves, especially with long-term continuous use.
Cerebral ischemia — Reduced blood flow to the brain has been reported when ergotamine is taken with certain strong CYP3A4-inhibiting medicines.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Ergomar

Pangea Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Ergomar, offers an Ergomar savings program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 for their Ergomar prescription.

The program offers eligible people up to $800 in savings on a one-month supply of Ergomar (up to 20 tablets per month). The program website states that no registration is required to use the copay voucher. To learn more, visit the Ergomar site.

What To Know Before Taking Ergomar

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ergotamine tartrate or any ingredient in Ergomar.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Ergomar if you have:

Peripheral vascular disease
Coronary heart disease
High blood pressure
Liver or kidney problems
Sepsis

Do not take Ergomar if you are taking certain strong CYP3A4 inhibitor medicines, including ritonavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin, ketoconazole, or itraconazole.

Ergomar is also FDA approved to stop or help prevent certain vascular headaches, including migraine headaches, migraine variants, and histaminic cephalalgia (a severe headache that usually causes very strong pain around one eye).

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Ergomar, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.

Ergomar can cause harm to an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy.

If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. Ergotamine passes into breast milk and may cause serious side effects in a nursing infant.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Ergomar?

Ergomar is used to stop or help prevent vascular headaches, including migraine headaches, migraine variants, and histaminic cephalalgia. Treatment should begin at the first sign of an attack because early administration gives maximum effectiveness. Available labeling information does not provide study results, response rates, or information about how quickly migraine symptoms improve.

How long does Ergomar take to work for migraine?

An exact time to relief with Ergomar is not provided. For best results, Ergomar should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. Early administration gives maximum effectiveness.

The recommended dose is one 2-milligram tablet placed under the tongue at the first sign of an attack or after symptoms begin. If needed, another tablet may be taken every 30 minutes.

The dose should not exceed three tablets in a 24-hour period, and the total weekly dose should not exceed five tablets.

Should I take Ergomar for migraine if I have sepsis?

Ergomar is not safe for people with sepsis, a serious infection. It also should not be used with certain medicines that strongly inhibit CYP3A4, including the antibiotics erythromycin, clarithromycin, and troleandomycin. Taking these medicines with Ergomar can increase ergotamine levels in the blood and raise the risk of serious blood vessel problems.