Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Dihydroergotamine: role in the treatment of migraine
1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215-1204, USA. mschuerks@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
Background:
Dihydroergotamine belongs to the oldest migraine-specific drugs. Mainly used by headache experts today, its properties are unfamiliar to many physicians.
Objective:
To evaluate the modes of administration, effectiveness and safety profile of dihydroergotamine in the treatment of migraine.
Methods:
Searching Medline and available reviews on the topic.
Results/Conclusion:
Evidence-based data are scarce. Parenteral dihydroergotamine seems to be as effective as or less effective than triptans with regard to pain control, but more effective than other drugs used in the treatment of attacks. The nasal spray is more effective than placebo, but less effective than triptans. Additional reports suggest that dihydroergotamine is particularly useful in migraineurs not satisfactorily responding to analgesics, in those with long attacks or headache recurrence, and those at risk of medication-overuse headache. Effectiveness of the oral formulation in migraine prevention is not substantiated by clinical trials. The adverse effect profile is very favorable compared to other ergot alkaloids.
Related Concept Videos
Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...
Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral bioavailability, and...
Adrenergic Agonists: Direct-Acting Agents
These agents can be classified...

