Methergine (oral and injection)

Methergine is used right after a baby is born to help deliver the placenta (also known as the "afterbirth"). It is also used to help control bleeding and to improve muscle tone in the uterus after childbirth.

Methergine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use Methergine while you are pregnant. This medication is for use only after you have delivered your baby.

Do not breast-feed for 12 hours after using Methergine. If you use a breast pump during this time, discard any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.

You should not use Methergine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• high blood pressure;
• toxemia of pregnancy; or
• if your baby has not yet been born.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease; or
• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease).

You should not use Methergine during your pregnancy. Methergine is to be used only after delivery of your baby.

Do not breast-feed within 12 hours after using Methergine. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Methergine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears);
• chest pain, sweating, pounding heartbeats, or fluttering in your chest;
• a seizure;
• numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your fingers or toes;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
• sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech, pain or swelling in one leg.

Common side effects of Methergine may include:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears);
• a seizure; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Methergine injection is given into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection while you are in the delivery room and for a short time after your baby is born, if needed.

Methergine oral is a tablet taken by mouth 3 or 4 times daily for up to 1 week after your baby is born.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Methergine should not be used for longer than 1 week unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, stomach pain, throbbing headache, numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes, cold feeling, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).

• Grapefruit may interact with Methergine and cause side effects.
• Avoid consuming grapefruit products.

Sometimes, it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can change the levels of other drugs in your blood, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Methergine, especially:

• anesthetics--halothane and methoxyflurane; or
• a beta blocker--atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may affect Methergine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.