What is Methylergonovine?
Methylergonovine can be used to deliver the placenta, also known as the "afterbirth," just after the baby's birth. The drug is used for controlling bleeding after birth and improving muscle tone. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of methylergonovine.
Side effects of Methylergonovine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
Methylergonovine may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
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Increased blood pressure: (severe migraine; blurred vision or pounding of the neck and ears);
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Chest pain can be caused by sweating, heartbeat pounding, or even fluttering.
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A seizure;
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If you feel tingling or numbness in your fingertips or toes, this is a sign of a cold or tingling sensation.
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A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
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Pain or swelling on the side of one leg, or sudden weakness or numbness
Side effects associated with methylergonovine include:
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Increased blood pressure: (a severe headache, blurred or distorted vision, or a pounding sensation in the neck, ears, and/or eardrums);
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A seizure;
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report adverse reactions by calling the Food and Drug Administration's hotline, 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Oxtocin, Pitocin, Methergine, Hemabate, Methylergonovine, and Carboprost
Warnings
Do not take methylergonovine while pregnant. Use this medication only after the delivery of your baby. You should not use methylergonovine within 12 hours of using it. Throw away any collected milk if you are pumping breast milk during that time. Do not give this product to your child.
Before you take this drug
If you're allergic or have any of the following:
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High blood pressure
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Toxemia in pregnancy
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If your baby is not yet born,
If you've ever:
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Liver or kidney disease
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Risk factors for coronary artery disease include diabetes, menopause, and smoking. Other risk factors are being overweight or having high blood pressure, having high cholesterol, and having a history of heart disease in the family.
Do not use methylergonovine while pregnant. Only after the delivery of your child should you use methylergonovine. You should not use methylergonovine within 12 hours of using it. Throw away any collected milk if you are pumping breast milk during that time. You should not give it to your child.
How to take Methylergonovine?
The injection of methylergonovine is administered through an IV into the muscle or vein. This injection will be given to you in the birthing room, and possibly for some time afterwards if necessary. Methylergonovine is an oral tablet that is taken 3 to 4 times a day for up to 1 week following the birth of your child. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended on the label. Take this medication only as prescribed.Do not exceed the prescribed dosage or take it longer than necessary.If your doctor tells you differently, then the maximum time that methylergonovine can be taken is 1 week. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for postpartum bleeding:
Parenteral:
0.2 mg IM during puerperium or after placental delivery; can be repeated every 2-4 hours, as needed.
Orally:
Orally, 0.2 mg 3–4 times per day during puerperium for up to 1 week.
Comments:
This drug can be administered parenterally in the second phase of labor, following the delivery of the anterior shoulder.
IM is equivalent to IV, so give it slowly and over at least 60 seconds.
Uses:
for routine treatment of uterine hemorrhage, subinvolution, and uterine atony following the delivery of the placenta.
for the control of uterine bleeding in the second phase of labor following the delivery of the anterior shoulder.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Dial 1-800-222-1222 immediately or seek medical assistance immediately if a suspected poison exposure has taken place. Overdose symptoms include nausea, stomach discomfort, headaches, cold sensations in the fingers and toes, shallow or weak breathing, or seizures (convulsions).
What should be avoided?
Grapefruit can interact with methylergonovine, causing side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some medicines can cause your blood level of another drug to increase, leading to side effects and less effectiveness.
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking as many can interact with methylergonovine.
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Anesthetics—halothane and methoxyflurane;
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A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (carvedilol), labetalol (labetalol), metoprolol (nadolol), nebivolol (nebivolol), propranolol, or sotalol.
The list of drugs that can affect methylergonovine is not exhaustive. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. This list does not include all interactions with drugs.
