Dihydroergotamine 1mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
A 9,10alpha-dihydro derivative of [ergotamine].
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
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Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Dihydroergotamine
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Report a side effect
Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Dihydroergotamine
About EudraVigilance
Learn about EU pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring
EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
1 branded products available
Therapeutically similar medicines
Tablets & capsules
(4)Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(3)
Gastroparesis in adults: oral erythromycin (ESUOM13)
Migraine prophylaxis: flunarizine (ESUOM33)
gammaCore for cluster headache (HTG533)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
Pharmacy stock checkers
Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.
Supply & safety information
Official UK regulator monitoring and safety alerts
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 27 · Randomised trials: 1 · 1970–2025
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
Stephen D. Silberstein, Douglas C McCrory
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2003
- Dihydroergotamine
- Ergotamine
- Migraine Disorders
Ian Colman, Michael D. Brown, Grant Innes, et al.
Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2005
- Antiemetics
- Dihydroergotamine
- Injections, Intravenous
Michael Gent, Robin S. Roberts
CHEST Journal, 1986
- Abdomen
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Dihydroergotamine
D. Kellerman, A. Forst, D. Combs, et al.
Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, 2013
M. G. Buzzi, W. Carter, T. Shimizu, et al.
Neuropharmacology, 1991
- Blood Pressure
- Cranial Sinuses
- Dihydroergotamine
N. Raskin
Neurology, 1986
- Chronic Disease
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Diazepam
N E Beisaw, Anthony J. Comerota, H E Groth, et al.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1988
- Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
- Hip Prosthesis
- Clinical Trials as Topic
Joel R. Saper, Stephen D. Silberstein
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2006
- Chronic Disease
- Dihydroergotamine
- Migraine Disorders
Stephen D. Silberstein, Stephen B. Shrewsbury, John Hoekman
Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2019
- Dihydroergotamine
- Migraine Disorders
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
K. L. Hoskin, H. Kaube, P. Goadsby
Brain : a journal of neurology, 1996
- Cerebrovascular Circulation
- Cats
- Central Nervous System
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
58 found
Half-life
0.7-1 h
Mechanism
DHE has several proposed mechanisms which may contribute to its therapeutic effi…
Food interactions
1 warning
Human targets
16 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
40%
[L38469,…
Half-life
0.7-1 h
[A239234]
Protein binding
93%
Volume of distribution
800 L
[L38469][L38459]
Metabolism
20-30%
Elimination
6-7%
[L38469,…
Clearance
1.5 L/h
[L38469]
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recent improvements have been made in the design of intranasal delivery devices allowing for greater delivery of dihydroergotamine solution to the vasculature-rich upper nasal cavity.[A239569] The recently approved Precision Olfactory Delivery technology developed by Impel Neuropharma technology has correlated with an increase of 3-fold in Cmax and 4-fold in AUC despite the solution formulated at 75% of the strength of the existing intranasal product.
[L38459][L38464][L38469]
As an injection, DHE is also indicated for the acute treatment of cluster headache episodes.
[L38459]
DHE is not indicated for migraine prevention or the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
[L38459][L38464][L38469]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 1563 interactions
[L38469]
In case of overdose, warmth should be applied to affected areas and vasodilators administered. Local poison control centres should be contacted for detailed information on care in cases of ergot overdose.
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L38469][A239234]
Oral formulations have largely been unsuccessful due to a 1% bioavailability owing to a high degree of first-pass metabolism.
[A239234]
Both intramuscular and intravenous administration produces 100% bioavailability with a tmax of 1-2 min and 24-34 min respectively.
[A239234][A239424]
[A239234]
[L38469][L38459]
[L38469]
8'-β-hydroxy dihydroergotamine is present at plasma concentrations 5-7 times that of DHE.
[A239234]
The remaining metabolites are Dihydrolysergic acid, dihydrolysergic amide, and a fourth metabolite formed through oxidative opening of the proline ring are considered minor metabolites. After intranasal administration, it has been found that metabolites represent 20-30% of plasma AUC.
[L38469][A239234]
[L38469][A239234]
6-7% of a single intramuscular dose is excreted in the urine.
[A239234]
[L38469]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:10452531 PMID:1315531 PMID:1328844 PMID:1348246 PMID:1351684 PMID:1559993 PMID:1565658 PMID:1610347 PMID:23519210 PMID:23519215 PMID:29925951 PMID:8218242
Also functions as a receptor for ergot alkaloid derivatives, various anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs and other psychoactive substances, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) .
PMID:23519210 PMID:23519215 PMID:29925951
Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of downstream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase .
PMID:10452531 PMID:1315531 PMID:1328844 PMID:1348246 PMID:1351684 PMID:1559993 PMID:1565658 PMID:1610347 PMID:23519210 PMID:23519215 PMID:29925951 PMID:8218242
HTR1B is coupled to G(i)/G(o) G alpha proteins and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission by inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity .
PMID:29925951 PMID:35610220
Arrestin family members inhibit signaling via G proteins and mediate activation of alternative signaling pathways .
PMID:29925951
Regulates the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain, and thereby affects neural activity, nociceptive processing, pain perception, mood and behavior .
PMID:18476671 PMID:20945968
Besides, plays a role in vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries PMID:15853772
PMID:10452531 PMID:1565658 PMID:1652050 PMID:33762731
Also functions as a receptor for ergot alkaloid derivatives, various anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs and other psychoactive substances .
PMID:10452531 PMID:1565658 PMID:1652050 PMID:33762731
Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of downstream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase .
PMID:10452531 PMID:1565658 PMID:1652050 PMID:33762731
HTR1D is coupled to G(i)/G(o) G alpha proteins and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission by inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity .
PMID:33762731
Regulates the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain, and thereby affects neural activity .
PMID:18476671 PMID:20945968
May also play a role in regulating the release of other neurotransmitters .
PMID:18476671 PMID:20945968
May play a role in vasoconstriction PMID:18476671 PMID:20945968
PMID:21422162 PMID:34239069 PMID:8380639 PMID:8384716
Also functions as a receptor for various alkaloids and psychoactive substances .
PMID:21422162 PMID:8380639 PMID:8384716
Receptor for lasmiditan, a drug for the treatment of acute migraine .
PMID:34239069
Ligand binding causes a conformation change that triggers signaling via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) and modulates the activity of downstream effectors, such as adenylate cyclase .
PMID:34239069
HTR1F is coupled to G(i)/G(o) G alpha proteins and mediates inhibitory neurotransmission by inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity PMID:34239069 PMID:35610220
PMID:21645528
Positively regulates postnatal regression of retinal hyaloid vessels via suppression of VEGFR2/KDR activity, downstream of OPN5 (By similarity)
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
Proteins that transport this drug across cell membranes
PMID:2897240 PMID:35970996 PMID:8898203 PMID:9038218 PMID:35507548
Catalyzes the flop of phospholipids from the cytoplasmic to the exoplasmic leaflet of the apical membrane. Participates mainly to the flop of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, beta-D-glucosylceramides and sphingomyelins .
PMID:8898203
Energy-dependent efflux pump responsible for decreased drug accumulation in multidrug-resistant cells PMID:2897240 PMID:35970996 PMID:9038218
ATC N02CA51
ATC N02CA01
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Dihydroergotamine
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
3359
ChemSpider
10091
BindingDB
50295557
PDB
2GM
ZINC
ZINC000003978005
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5287
GenAtlas
HTR1B
GeneCards
HTR1B
GenBank Gene Database
D10995
GenBank Protein Database
219679
Guide to Pharmacology
2
UniProt Accession
5HT1B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5289
GenAtlas
HTR1D
GeneCards
HTR1D
GenBank Gene Database
M89955
GenBank Protein Database
177772
Guide to Pharmacology
3
UniProt Accession
5HT1D_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5292
GenAtlas
HTR1F
GeneCards
HTR1F
GenBank Gene Database
L05597
GenBank Protein Database
307420
Guide to Pharmacology
5
UniProt Accession
5HT1F_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3023
GenAtlas
DRD2
GeneCards
DRD2
GenBank Gene Database
M30625
GenBank Protein Database
181432
Guide to Pharmacology
215
UniProt Accession
DRD2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:281
GenAtlas
ADRA2A
GeneCards
ADRA2A
GenBank Gene Database
M23533
GenBank Protein Database
178196
Guide to Pharmacology
25
UniProt Accession
ADA2A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5286
GenAtlas
HTR1A
GeneCards
HTR1A
GenBank Gene Database
M28269
GenBank Protein Database
189928
Guide to Pharmacology
1
UniProt Accession
5HT1A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5291
GenAtlas
HTR1E
GeneCards
HTR1E
GenBank Gene Database
M91467
GenBank Protein Database
177774
Guide to Pharmacology
4
UniProt Accession
5HT1E_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5293
GenAtlas
HTR2A
GeneCards
HTR2A
GenBank Gene Database
S42168
GenBank Protein Database
36431
Guide to Pharmacology
6
UniProt Accession
5HT2A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5294
GenAtlas
HTR2B
GeneCards
HTR2B
GenBank Gene Database
X77307
GenBank Protein Database
475198
Guide to Pharmacology
7
UniProt Accession
5HT2B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5295
GenAtlas
HTR2C
GeneCards
HTR2C
GenBank Gene Database
M81778
GenBank Protein Database
338028
Guide to Pharmacology
8
UniProt Accession
5HT2C_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:277
GenAtlas
ADRA1A
GeneCards
ADRA1A
GenBank Gene Database
D25235
GenBank Protein Database
433201
Guide to Pharmacology
22
UniProt Accession
ADA1A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:278
GenAtlas
ADRA1B
GeneCards
ADRA1B
GenBank Gene Database
M99589
Guide to Pharmacology
23
UniProt Accession
ADA1B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:280
GenAtlas
ADRA1D
GeneCards
ADRA1D
GenBank Gene Database
M76446
GenBank Protein Database
177807
Guide to Pharmacology
24
UniProt Accession
ADA1D_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:281
GenAtlas
ADRA2A
GeneCards
ADRA2A
GenBank Gene Database
M23533
GenBank Protein Database
178196
Guide to Pharmacology
25
UniProt Accession
ADA2A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:282
GenAtlas
ADRA2B
GeneCards
ADRA2B
GenBank Gene Database
M34041
GenBank Protein Database
178198
Guide to Pharmacology
26
UniProt Accession
ADA2B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:283
GenAtlas
ADRA2C
GeneCards
ADRA2C
GenBank Gene Database
J03853
GenBank Protein Database
178194
Guide to Pharmacology
27
UniProt Accession
ADA2C_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3024
GenAtlas
DRD3
GeneCards
DRD3
GenBank Gene Database
U32499
GenBank Protein Database
927342
Guide to Pharmacology
216
UniProt Accession
DRD3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3025
GenAtlas
DRD4
GeneCards
DRD4
GenBank Gene Database
L12398
GenBank Protein Database
291946
Guide to Pharmacology
217
UniProt Accession
DRD4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5299
GenAtlas
HTR4
GeneCards
HTR4
GenBank Gene Database
Y12505
GenBank Protein Database
2661757
Guide to Pharmacology
9
UniProt Accession
5HT4R_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:288
GenAtlas
ADRB3
GeneCards
ADRB3
GenBank Gene Database
M29932
GenBank Protein Database
178896
Guide to Pharmacology
30
UniProt Accession
ADRB3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2637
GenAtlas
CYP3A4
GeneCards
CYP3A4
GenBank Gene Database
M18907
Guide to Pharmacology
1337
UniProt Accession
CP3A4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:40
GenAtlas
ABCB1
GeneCards
ABCB1
GenBank Gene Database
M14758
GenBank Protein Database
307180
Guide to Pharmacology
768
UniProt Accession
MDR1_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
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Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
ATC classifications (Wikidata)
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q421336), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication. WHO INN from the World Health Organization.