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Methysergide

Treatment with methysergide must be supervised by a hospital doctor.
Your treatment will be reviewed after six months as there is a risk of serious side-effects.
Take methysergide with or after food.

About methysergide

Type of medicine Antimigraine
Used for Severe migraine and cluster headaches when other treatments can not be used
Diarrhoea caused by carcinoid syndrome
Also called Deseril
Available as Tablets

Methysergide is used to prevent troublesome headaches such as migraine and recurrent throbbing headaches, when the attacks are frequent and severe. It is also used to treat cluster headaches, which are headaches that occur in close succession at certain times of a year, and can last 6-12 weeks.

What causes a migraine is unclear, but it is known that the blood vessels in parts of the brain go into spasm (become narrower) and then dilate (open wide) before gradually returning to normal. Methysergide helps to prevent migraine headaches by narrowing the blood vessels when they are dilated.

Methysergide is also used to treat severe diarrhoea which can occur in carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid syndrome is a rare condition caused by a tumour in the bowel, appendix or respiratory tract.

Before taking methysergide

Before taking methysergide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding. If you have ever had a peptic (stomach) ulcer. If you suffer from heart, lung, liver, kidney or circulation problems. If you have trouble passing water or have bladder problems. If you have cellulitis or any other infection. If you suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). If you have a collagen disease such as arthritis. If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines. If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take methysergide

Take methysergide exactly as your doctor has told you to. Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet. If you are being treated for migraine, the usual starting dose is one tablet at bedtime. Your dose will be increased slowly over the next 2-3 weeks. If you are being treated for carcinoid syndrome, you may need to take up to 20 tablets a day. Your doctor will tell you what dose to take. Try to take methysergide tablets at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses. Take your dose with a meal or after eating some food. If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up.

Getting the most from your treatment

Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to review your treatment after six months as there is a risk of serious side-effects. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking methysergide. Methysergide can cause drowsiness which is increased by alcohol. Do not stop taking methysergide without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want to reduce the dose you are taking slowly to avoid problems which can occur if this treatment is stopped suddenly. If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with methysergide.

Can methysergide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick, indigestion, abdominal pain Eat little and often, and stick to simple foods
Drowsiness, dizziness (particularly at the start of treatment) Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Do not drink alcohol
Feeling faint especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position Getting up more slowly should help. If you begin to feel dizzy, lay down so that you do not faint, then sit for a few moments before standing
Less commonly experienced side-effects are: changes in thoughts or behaviour, difficulty sleeping, swelling of the feet and ankles, increased weight, skin rash, loss of hair, cramps, and tingling feelings in the arms or legs If any of these are troublesome, speak with your doctor

Important: If you experience severe back pain, swelling of one or both legs, or have difficulty passing water, speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

Important: If you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store methysergide

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Manufacturer's PIL, Deseril, Alliance Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Revised July 2008, accessed 7 August 2008.British National Formulary; 55th Edition (March 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London. Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
EMIS 2008 DocID:3364 DocRef: dils2371 Last Updated: 20 Oct 2008 Date of Next Review:20 Oct 2010 Version:22

Author:EMIS
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