Note: This document contains side effect information about methylergonovine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Methergine.

Applies to methylergonovine: oral tablet. Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Serious side effects of Methergine

Along with its needed effects, methylergonovine (the active ingredient contained in Methergine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking methylergonovine:

More common

• Abdominal pain
• headache
• increased blood pressure

Rare

• Blood in the urine
• change in skin color
• chest pain or discomfort
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• hives
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• slow or fast heartbeat
• skin rash
• sweating
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• inability to speak
• seizures
• severe or sudden headache
• slurred speech
• temporary blindness
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Other side effects of Methergine

Some side effects of methylergonovine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Continuous ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cramps in the legs
• diarrhea
• foul taste
• increased sweating
• nausea
• stuffy nose

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to methylergonovine: injectable solution, oral tablet.

General

The most commonly reported adverse reaction is hypertension.

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, acute myocardial infarction, transient chest pains, arterial spasm (coronary and peripheral), bradycardia, tachycardia

Postmarketing reports: Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, angina pectoris, atrioventricular block^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Headache, dizziness, seizure

Postmarketing reports: Cerebrovascular accident, paraesthesia^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Thrombophlebitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Hematuria, abdominal pain associated with uterine contractions^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Water intoxication^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Diarrhea, foul taste, nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, nasal congestion^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Hallucinations

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Diaphoresis, rash^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Leg cramps

Other

Frequency not reported: Tinnitus

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis (no proven causal relationship)