methylergonovine (oral and injection)

What is the most important information I should know about methylergonovine?

What is methylergonovine?

Methylergonovine is used just after a baby is born, to help deliver the placenta (also called the "afterbirth"). It is also used to help control bleeding and to improve muscle tone in the uterus after childbirth.

Methylergonovine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using methylergonovine?

• high blood pressure;
• toxemia of pregnancy; or
• if your baby has not yet been born.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or
• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease).

How should I use methylergonovine?

Methylergonovine injection is given into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection while you are in the delivery room and for a short time after your baby is born, if needed.

Methylergonovine oral is a tablet taken by mouth 3 or 4 times daily for up to 1 week after your baby is born.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, stomach pain, throbbing headache, numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes, cold feeling, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using methylergonovine?

Grapefruit may interact with methylergonovine and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of methylergonovine?

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears);
• chest pain, sweating, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a seizure;
• numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your fingers or toes;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
• sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech, pain or swelling in one leg.

Common side effects may include:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears);
• a seizure; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect methylergonovine?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect methylergonovine, especially:

• anesthetics --halothane and methoxyflurane; or
• a beta blocker --atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect methylergonovine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about methylergonovine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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