Andrey Nailor, M.D.·Published 26 October 2004·6 min read
Key points
What are belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets?
If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose.
This medication may interact with many other medications.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
What are belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets? BELLADONNA ALKALOIDS; ERGOTAMINE; PHENOBARBITAL (Bellamine Sreg;, Bellaphen Sreg;, Bellaspas™, Bellergalreg;S, Bel-Phen-Ergot Sreg;, Spastrin™ and others) is a combination of several different drugs. This drug combination helps prevent migraine or cluster headaches when it is taken on a regular basis. However, this drug will not treat an acute migraine headache. This drug product is also commonly used to treat hot flashes, sweating, dizzy spells, and restlessness associated with menopause. While this drug may be used for other conditions, other uses are rare. Generic belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an alcohol or drug abuse problem
blood clots or blood vessel disease
chest pain
diarrhea
difficulty passing urine
glaucoma
heart disease, or previous heart attack
hiatal hernia (also known as esophogeal reflux or GERD)
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
history of heart attacks
infection
kidney disease
liver disease
lung disease, chest infection or breathing difficulties
mental depression or mental problems
myasthenia gravis
poor circulation
porphyria
prostate trouble
stomach obstruction
tobacco smoker
ulcerative colitis
an unusual or allergic reaction to atropine; belladonna; ergotamine; hyoscyamine; phenobarbital; scopolamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding (do not breast-feed while taking this medication)
How should I take this medicine? Take this medication by mouth with a sip of water. Do not crush, chew or cut the tablets. If this medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medication is not usually prescribed to children.
What if I miss a dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital?
This medication may interact with many other medications. Some of the important medications that might interact are listed. You should check with your pharmacist prior to taking any new medicine with this medicine.
Do not use any of the following migraine drugs within 24 hours of this medicine: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan. Also, do not use this drug along with caffeine-ergotamine combinations (example: Cafergot® or Wigraine®); dihydroergotamine (DHE® or Migranal®); ergotamine (Ergomar®) or methysergide (Sansert®); ergonovine; or methylergonovine.
This medication may also interact with:
acetaminophen
alcohol
alosetron
amantadine
antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and troleandomycin
antacids
antifungal drugs like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole or voriconazole
aprepitant
benztropine
bromocriptine
cabergoline
caffeine
chloramphenicol
cisapride
cocaine
cyclophosphamide
cyclosporine
danazol
digoxin
doxorubicin
doxycycline
ergoloid mesylates
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
grapefruit juice
hormones such a prednisone or cortisone
medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems
medicines for colds, flu, or breathing difficulties
medicines for hay fever and other allergies
medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or other heart problems
medicines for mental depression, anxiety or other mood problems, especially fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and nefazodone
medicines for treating HIV infection or AIDS
medicines or herbal products for headaches
medicines or herbal products for weight loss or appetite control
medicines to control heart rhythm
metronidazole
nicotine
prescription pain medications like codeine, hydromorphone, and morphine
quinidine
quinine
seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine
tegaserod
theophylline
warfarin
zileuton
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
anxiety, nervousness
changes in behavior or mood
chest pain or tightness
cold hands or feet
confusion
decrease in the amount of urine passed
difficulty breathing
eye or vision problems
fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
fever, chills or sore throat
hallucinations
leg or arm pain or cramps
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
seizures
skin rash, itching, hives
stomach pain
swelling of ankles, hands, face, or lips
tingling, pain or numbness in feet or hands
unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
weight loss
yellowing of skin or eyes
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
altered taste
constipation
dizziness
drowsiness
dry mouth
increased sensitivity of the eyes to sun or light
nausea
What should I watch for while taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? Do not exceed the dosage on the label or take this medicine for longer than prescribed. Taking this medicine more often or longer than prescribed may lead to dependence on this drug or may result in unwanted side effects.
If you take this medication to prevent headaches, check with your prescriber if you do not get relief from using this medication.
It is important to tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible if you get any of the following side effects: cold, numb, or painful hands or feet; leg cramps when walking; any type of pain around your chest; swelling; itching.
This medication may decrease the circulation of blood to your skin, fingers, and toes. You may get more sensitive to the cold. Elderly patients are more likely to feel this effect. Avoid long exposure to the cold and dress warmly when appropriate to do so. Also avoid extreme heat (e.g., hot tubs, saunas). This medication can cause you to sweat less than normal, which may lead to heat stroke if your body temperature gets too high.
You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, avoid alcoholic drinks.
Because tobacco smoking could increase the risk of side effects of this drug, you should avoid smoking.
This medication can reduce the ability of birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Use another method of birth control while you are taking this medication or check with your prescriber regarding recommendations. Contact your prescriber for advice if you think you might be pregnant, this medication may be harmful to an unborn baby.
Stay out of bright light and wear sunglasses if this medication makes your eyes more sensitive to light.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
This medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.
If you are going to have any type of surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medication.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep tightly closed and protect from heat and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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