An overdosage of 44 mg ergotamine tartrate taken by an adult female, presumably all absorbed, was followed by recovery on supportive therapy only. A 14 month old child died following the ingestion of 12 mg ergotamine tartrate. Although vomiting was induced shortly after ingestion, the child was not exposed to expert treatment for some 13 hours after ingestion. The most prominent effects of ergotism are circulatory changes. CNS changes can rarely include convulsions and hemiplegia.
Respiratory depression can occur.
The drug should be eliminated by gastric lavage and activated charcoal should be administered. In case of severe vasospasm, vasodilators such as nitroprusside sodium should be administered. Cafergot-PB should not be administered prophylactically. The first time Cafergot-PB is administered, an initial dose of 2 tablets or 1 suppository is recommended. If necessary, additional doses may be taken at half-hourly intervals up to the maximum dosage indicated below.