Triptans Ergot alkaloids

TRIPTANS ERGOT ALKALOIDS- ERGOTAMINE, METHYSERGIDE T risk of vasospasm Additive effect 1. Do not administer ergotamine and almotriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan within 6 hours of each other 2. Do not administer methy-sergide and almotriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan within 24 hours of each other 3. Do not administer an ergot derivative and eletriptan or frovatriptan within 24 hours of each other... 

Sumatriptan and several other "triptans" are selective agonists for 5-HTiD and 5-HTiB receptors. These receptor types are found in cerebral and meningeal vessels and mediate vasoconstriction. They are also found on neurons and probably function as presynaptic inhibitory receptors. These drugs have proved to be very effective in the treatment of acute migraine headache. The mechanism of action is discussed in more detail below under Clinical Pharmacology of Ergot Alkaloids. 

LSD was invented by Dr. Hofmann in a search for potential medications. There have been few studies on the use of migraines. At fifteen, I had my first hemi-paraesthesia type migraine. There is no known cure. The conventional medications are narcotics, ergot alkaloids, barbiturates, NSAIDs, triptans. All are used chronically and have several toxic adverse effects such as paralysis and death to name a few. 

Ergot alkaloids are contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant, because the drugs may cause fetal distress and miscarriage. Ergot alkaloids also are contraindicated in patients with peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension, impaired hepatic or renal fnnction, and sepsis. Ergot alkaloids should not be taken within 24 honrs of the use of the triptans, and should not be nsed concnrrently with other drugs that can cause vasoconstriction. 

Bringing about symptomatic relief from the pain associated with migraines and other migraine symptoms is achieved by prescribing antiemetics (antinausea, see Chapter 18), ergot alkaloids and related compounds, NS AIDS (see Chapter 12), and other analgesic (nonopioids) opioids, and triptans (see chart). 

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