Methylergonovine (Methergine)

Category:

  • Miscellaneous

Description:

  • Oxytocic

Indications:

  • Postpartum, postabortal hemorrhage due to uterine atony

  • Subinvolution, routine management after delivery of the placenta

Contraindications:

  • Hypertension; toxemia; hypersensitivity to ergots

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy Category C; small quantities appear in breast milk

  • Rapid IV INF (may induce sudden hypertension and CVA’s)

  • Sepsis, obliterative vascular disease, hepatic/renal involvement

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: dizziness, hallucinations, headache, paresthesias, seizure

  • CV: hypertension, palpitations, temporary chest pain, thrombophlebitis

  • GI: diarrhea, foul taste, nausea, vomiting

  • MISC: leg cramps, dyspnea, diaphoresis

Dosage:

Administered orally, intramuscularly and intravenously

  • Adult:   

    • IM/IV 0.2mg after delivery of the placenta, after delivery of the anterior shoulder, or during the puerperium; repeat every 2-4 hours as needed

    • PO 0.2mg 3-4 times daily in the puerperium for a max of 1 week

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300 

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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