Methergine (oral and injection)

Methergine (oral and injection)

What is Methergine?

Methergine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Methergine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these problemsSigns of an allergic reaction:hives; difficulty breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methergine can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, throbbing in the neck or ears);

• chest pain, sweating, heart palpitations, or fluttering in the chest;

• a seizure;

• numbness, tingling, or feeling cold in your fingers or toes;

• a light-headed feeling, as if you were going to faint; or

• Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech, pain or swelling in one leg.

Common side effects of Methergine may include:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, throbbing in the neck or ears);

• a seizure; or

• Headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not take Methergine during your pregnancy.This medication should only be used after your baby is born.

Do not breastfeed within 12 hours of using Methergine.If you use a breast pump during this time, throw away any collected milk. Do not feed it to your baby.

Before you take this medicine

You should not use Methergine if you are allergic to it or if you have:

• high blood pressure;

• pregnancy toxemia; or

• if your baby is not yet born.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or

• Risk factors for coronary heart disease (e.g. diabetes, menopause, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, family history of coronary heart disease).

You should not take Methergine during your pregnancy.Methergine should only be used after your baby is born.

Do not breastfeed within 12 hours of using Methergine.If you use a breast pump during this time, throw away any collected milk. Do not feed it to your baby.

How should I use Methergine?

Methergin injection is given through an infusion into a muscle or vein. You will receive this injection while you are in the delivery room and, if necessary, shortly after your baby is born.

Methergin oral is a tablet taken orally three or four times a day for up to 1 week after your baby is born.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Methergine should not be taken for longer than 1 week unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of overdose may include vomiting, stomach pain, throbbing headache, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, feeling cold, weak or shallow breathing, or seizures.

What should I avoid when using Methergine?

Grapefruit can interact with Methergine and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

What other drugs will affect Methergine?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines together. Some medications can affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking. Many medications can affect Methergine, particularly:

• anesthetics – halothane and methoxyflurane; or

• a beta blocker – atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol and others.

This list is not exhaustive and many other medications can affect Methergine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the prescribed indication.