Methylergonovine Injection

What is this medication?

METHYLERGONOVINE (meth il er goe NOE veen) prevents and treats excessive bleeding from the uterus at the end of a pregnancy. It works by helping your body tighten muscles in the uterus, which reduces blood loss. It belongs to a group of medications called ergot alkaloids.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Methergine

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Circulation problems
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to methylergonovine, ergot alkaloids, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a muscle or into a vein. It is given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• Conivaptan
• Grapefruit juice
• Imatinib
• Medications for fungal infections, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole
• Medications used to treat migraines, such as almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan
• Nefazodone
• Other ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine, dihydroergotamine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
• Clotrimazole
• Decongestants, such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Medications used for surgery
• Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin
• Pseudoephedrine
• Stimulant medications for attention disorders, weight loss, or staying awake
• Zileuton

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Follow the instructions of your care team after childbirth.

Do not breast-feed while taking this medication and for 12 hours after the last dose. Talk to your care team for more information.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Increase in blood pressure
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Seizures
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Change in taste
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.