Ergometrine and Ergotamine

Abstract

Ergotamine and ergometrine belong to two kinds of ergot alkaloids. Ergot is the sclerotium of ergot fungus that grows in the rye and related cereal and forage plants. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that ergot is tasteless, tepid, toxic, liver meridian, and kidney meridian. Ergot can be used for uterine contraction, uterine bleeding, and postpartum hemorrhage after delivery, incomplete recovery of uterus, retrogression, etc. According to modern research, ergotamine or ergot can block the a-adrenergic receptor, so that the pressor effect of adrenaline was reversed. They do not prevent the release of sympathetic mediators. Ergonovine maleate is mainly used for the prevention and treatment of the weak uterine contraction or poor contraction caused by uterine bleeding after delivery or abortion. It is also used for incomplete recovery of postpartum uterus to accelerate the recovery of the uterus. Ergotamine tartrate is mainly used for the treatment of migraine by relieving the symptoms. Because ergonovine has been discontinued, oxytocin and prostaglandin preparation are the mainstream at present. The combination of ergotamine tartrate and caffeine can increase the absorption of ergotamine and enhance the contraction of blood vessels. Therefore, ergotamine-caffeine tablets have better effect on the early stage of migraine, but it is not suitable for long-term administration due to its side effects.