Methylergonovine

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Methylergonovine Maleate

Brand Names
Methylergonovine Maleate
Route
ORAL
Dosage Form
TABLET
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

DESCRIPTION Methylergonovine maleate, USP is a semi-synthetic ergot alkaloid used for the prevention and control of postpartum hemorrhage. Methylergonovine maleate, USP is available in tablets for oral ingestion containing 0.2 mg methylergonovine maleate, USP. Tablets Active Ingredient: methylergonovine maleate, USP, 0.2 mg. Inactive Ingredients: corn starch, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, stearic acid, and tartaric acid. Chemically, methylergonovine maleate, USP is designated as ergoline-8-carboxamide, 9,10-didehydro- N -[1- (hydroxymethyl)propyl]-6-methyl-, [8β( S )]-, ( Z )-2-butenedioate (1:1) (salt). Its structural formula is: 1

What Is Methylergonovine Used For?

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Following delivery of the placenta, for routine management of uterine atony, hemorrhage and subinvolution of the uterus. For control of uterine hemorrhage in the second stage of labor following delivery of the anterior shoulder.

Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Orally The recommended dosage of methylergonovine maleate is One tablet, 0.2 mg, orally 3 or 4 times daily in the puerperium for a maximum of 1 week.

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical trials experience Common Adverse Reactions The most common adverse reaction is hypertension associated in several cases with seizure and/or headache. Hypotension has also been reported. Abdominal pain (caused by uterine contractions), nausea and vomiting have occurred occasionally. Rare Adverse Reactions Rarely observed reactions have included: acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, vasoconstriction, vasospasm, coronary arterial spasm, bradycardia, tachycardia, dyspnea, hematuria, thrombophlebitis, water intoxication, hallucinations, leg cramps, dizziness, tinnitus, nasal congestion, diarrhea, diaphoresis, palpitation, rash, and foul taste. There have been rare isolated reports of anaphylaxis, without a proven causal relationship to the drug product. Postmarketing Experience The following adverse drug reactions have been derived from post-marketing experience with methylergonovine maleate via spontaneous case reports. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency which is therefore categorized as not known. Nervous system disorders Cerebrovascular accident, paraesthesia Cardiac disorders Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, angina pectoris, atrioventricular block To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS General This drug should not be administered I.V. routinely because of the possibility of inducing sudden hypertensive and cerebrovascular accidents. If I.V. administration is considered essential as a lifesaving measure, methylergonovine maleate should be given slowly over a period of no less than 60 seconds with careful monitoring of blood pressure. Intra-arterial or periarterial injection should be strictly avoided. Caution should be exercised in the presence of impaired hepatic or renal function. Coronary artery disease Patients with coronary artery disease or risk factors for coronary artery disease (e.g., smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol) may be more susceptible to developing myocardial ischemia and infarction associated with methylergonovine-induced vasospasm. Risk of Adverse Reactions or Reduced Therapeutic Effect Due to Drug Interactions The concomitant use of methylergonovine maleate and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions or reduced therapeutic effect of methylergonovine maleate or the concomitant drug (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS ). Medication errors Inadvertent administration of methylergonovine maleate to newborn infants has been reported. In these cases of inadvertent neonatal exposure, symptoms such as respiratory depression, convulsions, cyanosis and oliguria have been reported. Usual treatment is symptomatic. However, in severe cases, respiratory and cardiovascular support is required. Methylergonovine maleate has been administered instead of vitamin K and Hepatitis B vaccine, medications which are routinely administered to the newborn. Due to the potential for accidental neonatal exposure, methylergonovine maleate injection should be stored separately from medications intended for neonatal administration.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions CYP 3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., Macrolide Antibiotics and Protease Inhibitors) There have been rare reports of serious adverse events in connection with the co-administration of certain ergot alkaloid drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine and ergotamine) and potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors, resulting in vasospasm leading to cerebral ischemia and/or ischemia of the extremities. Although there have been no reports of such interactions with methylergonovine alone, strong and moderate CYP 3A4 inhibitors should not be co-administered with methylergonovine. Examples of some of the strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors include saquinavir grapefruit juice, nefazodone, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., troleandomycin, clarithromycin), HIV protease or reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir) or azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole). Moderate inhibitors include fluconazole, fluvoxamine and clotrimazole. Weak CYP 3A4 inhibitors should be administered with caution. Weak inhibitors include chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, and ranitidine. These lists are not exhaustive, and the prescriber should consider the effects on CYP 3A4 of other agents being considered for concomitant use with methylergonovine. CYP3A4 inducers Drugs (e.g. nevirapine, rifampin) that are strong inducers of CYP3A4 are likely to decrease the pharmacological action of methylergonovine maleate. Beta-blockers Caution should be exercised when methylergonovine maleate is used concurrently with beta-blockers. Concomitant administration with beta-blockers may enhance the vasoconstrictive action of ergot alkaloids. Anesthetics Anesthetics like halothane and methoxyflurane may reduce the oxytocic potency of methylergonovine maleate. Glyceryl trinitrate and other antianginal drugs Methylergonovine maleate produces vasoconstriction and can be expected to reduce the effect of glyceryl trinitrate and other antianginal drugs. No pharmacokinetic interactions involving other cytochrome P450 isoenzymes are known. Caution should be exercised when methylergonovine maleate is used concurrently with other vasoconstrictors, ergot alkaloids, or prostaglandins.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypertension; toxemia; pregnancy; and hypersensitivity.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Use of Methylergonovine Maleate is contraindicated during pregnancy because of its uterotonic effects (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). Animal reproductive studies have not been conducted with methylergonovine maleate. It is not known whether methylergonovine maleate can cause fetal harm or can affect reproductive capacity.

Nursing Mothers Mothers should not breast-feed during treatment with methylergonovine maleate and at least 12 hours after administration of the last dose. Milk secreted during this period should be discarded. Methylergonovine maleate may produce adverse effects in the breast-feeding infant. Methylergonovine maleate may also reduce the yield of breast milk.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE Symptoms of acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, oliguria, abdominal pain, numbness, tingling of the extremities, rise in blood pressure, in severe cases followed by hypotension, respiratory depression, hypothermia, convulsions, and coma. Because reports of overdosage with methylergonovine maleate are infrequent, the lethal dose in humans has not been established. The oral LD 50 (in mg/kg) for the mouse is 187, the rat 93, and the rabbit 4.5. Several cases of accidental methylergonovine maleate injection in newborn infants have been reported, and in such cases 0.2 mg represents an overdose of great magnitude. However, recovery occurred in all but one case following a period of respiratory depression, hypothermia, hypertonicity with jerking movements, and convulsions. Also, several children 1 to 3 years of age have accidentally ingested up to 10 tablets (2 mg) with no apparent ill effects. A postpartum patient took 4 tablets at one time in error and reported paresthesias and clamminess as her only symptoms. Treatment of acute overdosage is symptomatic and includes the usual procedures of: removal of offending drug by inducing emesis, gastric lavage, catharsis, and supportive diuresis. maintenance of adequate pulmonary ventilation, especially if convulsions or coma develop. correction of hypotension with pressor drugs as needed. control of convulsions with standard anticonvulsant agents. control of peripheral vasospasm with warmth to the extremities if needed.

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED Tablets Methylergonovine Maleate Tablets USP, 0.2 mg are available as white round, biconvex tablets, debossed “ 60 ” on one side and “A” on the other side. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 12 with child-resistant closure NDC 69238-1605-2 Bottles of 28 with child-resistant closure NDC 69238-1605-8 Store and Dispense Tablets: Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Store in a tight, light-resistant container. Distributed by: Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Rev. 06-2025-01

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.