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Overview: Methylergonovine is used to prevent and control bleeding after childbirth. It helps the muscles of the uterus contract more strongly and regularly, allowing it to tighten quickly and stay firm. This helps shorten the final stage of labor and reduce bleeding after delivery. Common side effects may include high blood pressure, headache, nausea, or vomiting. Talk to your health care provider right away if you develop a sudden, severe headache, confusion, trouble breathing, or chest pain or pressure.

Uses

What is methylergonovine used for?

Methylergonovine is commonly used to prevent and control bleeding after childbirth.

Methylergonovine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does methylergonovine work (mechanism of action)?

Methylergonovine helps the muscles of the uterus contract more strongly and regularly, allowing it to tighten quickly and stay firm. This helps shorten the final stage of labor and reduce bleeding after delivery.

How is methylergonovine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Methergine

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.2 mg oral tablets

How should I store methylergonovine?

Methylergonovine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of methylergonovine?

The most common side effects of methylergonovine are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • High blood pressure (see below)
  • Seizure (see below)
  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea or vomiting

There may be other side effects of methylergonovine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of methylergonovine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of methylergonovine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Methylergonovine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking methylergonovine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Methylergonovine may increase your blood pressure or worsen it if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your health care provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable, but look out for and tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurry vision or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • A feeling of skipped heartbeats

Seizures. Some people who have taken methylergonovine have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking methylergonovine and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Methylergonovine may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Heart Problems. Methylergonovine may cause an irregular heartbeat or chest pain. In rare cases, it may cause a heart attack. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or those who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart problems.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat

Blood Vessel Problems. Methylergonovine may cause your blood vessels to narrow and tighten (vasoconstriction) or to spasm (vasospasm). This can reduce blood flow through your body, and in some cases, to your heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood vessel problems.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm

Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use methylergonovine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take methylergonovine.

  • Methergine
  • Methylergonovine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific methylergonovine products they stock.

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Methylergonovine should not be used if you have high blood pressure. Methylergonovine can make hypertension worse.

Preeclampsia. Methylergonovine should not be used if you have preeclampsia, which is a serious pregnancy complication that can lead to high blood pressure and organ damage. Methylergonovine can make preeclampsia worse.

Pregnancy. Do not take methylergonovine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about methylergonovine before using it?

Do not take methylergonovine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share methylergonovine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep methylergonovine out of the reach of children.

Expect to take methylergonovine for just a short time following childbirth. Most people take it for no more than a week after having a baby.

What should I tell my health care provider before using methylergonovine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if methylergonovine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Heart or blood vessel problems
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol 
  • Infection of the blood

Smoking. Smoking can increase your risk of getting heart disease, which increases your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. Tell your health care provider if you smoke before starting methylergonovine.

Pregnancy. Do not take methylergonovine during pregnancy without talking to your health care provider. Taking methylergonovine during pregnancy may cause complications. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not take methylergonovine while you are breastfeeding. Methylergonovine can pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does methylergonovine interact with foods or drinks?

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can increase the drug levels of methylergonovine, raising the risk for side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect methylergonovine.

Does methylergonovine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking methylergonovine.

  • A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • A medicine used for HIV or AIDS
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • Fluoxetine, which is a medicine commonly used to treat depression and anxiety
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox), which is a medicine commonly used for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Zileuton (Zyflo), which is a medicine used for asthma
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A nitrate, such as Isordil, Nitro-Dur, NitroMist, or Nitrostat, which is a medicine used to prevent chest pain caused by a type of heart disease
  • An ergot, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal or Trudhesa) or ergotamine (Ergomar), which is a medicine used to treat migraine
  • A prostaglandin, such as dinoprostone (Cervidil or Prepidil), which is a medicine used to induce labor

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with methylergonovine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much methylergonovine?

If you or someone else has used too much methylergonovine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of methylergonovine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.