Ergotamine Tartrate 1mg, 2 mg Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Tablets

Available Strengths: 1mg, 2 mg

Reference Brands: Cafergot (USA), Ergomar(USA/EU)

Category: Neurology

Ergotamine Tartrate is a migraine-specific medication used in the treatment of acute migraine attacks with or without aura. It works by constricting dilated cranial blood vessels through its action on serotonin (5-HT) receptors, thereby relieving migraine symptoms.

Product Description:

Ergotamine is the original ergot alkaloid used for migraine. It is a partial agonist at 5-HT1B/1D receptors and also acts at alpha-adrenergic and dopamine receptors, giving strong, long-lasting arterial vasoconstriction. Before triptans it was the mainstay of acute migraine treatment, and it is still used where triptans are unavailable or have failed, particularly for long attacks with frequent recurrence. It is commonly formulated with caffeine, which improves its erratic oral absorption.

Its safety margin is narrow. Overuse causes ergotism — severe peripheral ischaemia, gangrene and fibrotic complications — and a well-recognised medication-overuse headache, so weekly dose limits are strict. It is contraindicated in coronary, peripheral and cerebrovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, sepsis and pregnancy. The most serious interaction is with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, which can precipitate acute ergotism, and it must not be combined with triptans within twenty-four hours.

Sourcing notes. Ergotamine is a Table I precursor under the 1988 UN Convention against illicit trafficking, because it can be converted to lysergic acid. Trade in the active substance, and in some jurisdictions the finished product, therefore needs precursor licences and pre-export notification. Registration has contracted sharply as triptans took over, and several European markets no longer list it at all. Supplier base is narrow.