This medication is used after childbirth to help stop bleeding after delivery of the placenta (afterbirth). Ergonovine maleate belongs to a class of drugs known as ergot alkaloids. It works by increasing the stiffness of the uterus muscles after the last stage of labor. This effect decreases bleeding.

This medication should not be used to start or speed up labor.

Take this medication by mouth, beginning after delivery, usually 2 to 4 times a day for 2 days or as directed by your doctor. Tablets may be swallowed whole or placed under the tongue to dissolve.

Take this medication exactly as directed. Do not increase the dose, take it more often, or continue taking this for longer than prescribed. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens at any time.

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, dizziness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Severe cramping of the uterus is a sign that this medication is working. Tell your doctor immediately if the cramping is too painful.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: increased thirst, ringing in the ears, weakness, diarrhea, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, tingling, twitching of the arms/legs, dilated pupils, decreased amount of urine, confusion.

Tell your doctor immediately if this rare but very serious side effect occurs: seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking ergonovine maleate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, methylergonovine); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, venoatrial shunt, mitral valve stenosis), other complications during pregnancy (e.g., pre-eclampsia, eclampsia), a serious blood infection (sepsis), kidney problems, liver problems, low blood calcium level, blood vessel problems (e.g., Raynaud's phenomenon, obliterative vascular disease).

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate).

Other medications can affect the removal of ergonovine from your body, which may affect how ergonovine works. Examples include delavirdine, nevirapine, protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, among others.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: numbness/coldness in the arms/legs, dark red/purple/black color of the finger/toes, chest pain, unusual bleeding/bruising, hallucinations, seizures.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure measurements, pulse, uterine response) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.