Systemic availability of ergotamine tartrate in healthy subjects after single and repeated oral doses

The studies presented indicate that ergotamine tartrate taken orally in single or repeated 2 mg doses is biologically available in most of the subjects examined. The peak plasma concentration of the drug in the ng/ml range is attained at 1-2 hours. It seems probable that there is a second rise in the plasma concentrations of the drug, possibly indicating an accumulation of ergotamine or some of its immunoreactive metabolites, and this needs further evaluation.