For the acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura and the acute treatment of cluster headache episodes.
Two theories have been proposed to explain the efficacy of 5-HT<sub>1D</sub> receptor agonists in migraine: 1) activation of 5-HT<sub>1D</sub> receptors located on intracranial blood vessels, including those on arterio-venous anastomoses, leads to vasoconstriction, which correlates with the relief of migraine headache and 2) activation of 5-HT<sub>1D</sub> receptors on sensory nerve endings of the trigeminal system results in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release.
Side effects include abdominal pain, abnormal speech, coma, confusion, convulsions, hallucinations, increase and/or decrease in blood pressure, nausea, numbness, tingling, pain, and a bluish color of your fingersand toes, slowed breathing, vomiting
Interpatient variable and may be dependent on the administration technique
9 hours
The major excretory route of dihydroergotamine is via the bile in the feces. Only 6%-7% of unchanged dihydroergotamine is excreted in the urine after intramuscular injection.
* 800 L
* 1.5 L/min