INFUSIONS

IV Dihydroergotamine

Intravenous dihydroergotamine (IV DHE) although not licensed in the UK is used widely for headache treatment in other countries. Intravenous means that the medication (DHE) is given directly into the veins as an infusion through a drip. DHE belongs to a group of medicines called ergot alkaloids and has been used to treat chronic headache like migraine and cluster headache. This treatment can help by breaking the cycle of daily pain and associated headache symptoms. It will not cure your headaches but it could provide relief where they become less severe and/or less frequent. The level of benefit varies among patients. For example, some patients obtain complete relief for a given period of time – days, weeks or months - whilst others may have a partial benefit or none at all. In general, most patients derive some benefit. Some patients have reported an increase in headache soon after discharge for a week or so, but subsequently have a settled period of good pain control. All treatments and medicines have side effects. The side effects that occur most often are nausea and leg cramps. We anticipate and treat nausea by giving you an anti-nausea treatment before each IV DHE dose. To prepare, you should not take a ‘triptan’ drug at least 24 hours before your admission. You will be in hospital for approximately 5 – 7 days. On the day of admission you will have an ECG (electrocardiogram) prior to treatment. Your treatment effect and headache symptoms will be assessed at your next appointment.