[Risks related to the use of ergotamine in the therapy of hemicrania. Description of a case].

The ergotamine tartrate used for the migraine headache therapy can induce to a condition of chronic intoxication (ergotism) similar to what occurs after the ingestion of Claviceps purpurea contaminated rye. The case of an Italian woman affected by chronic migraine rectally treated with ergotamine showed cerebral and legs ischaemic indications--angiographically documented--vasospasm in the carotid and femoral arterial area. The withdrawal of the drug produced complete remission. It is therefore important to consider ergotism as a cause of the non-atherosclerotic vascular ischaemic disease; the authors also underline the serious risks linked to the ergotamine self prescription should the maximum dose of the 10 mg be exceeded via rectum over the period of one week (see the above illustrated case). No other evidence of intoxication due to ergotamine with angiography documentation with femoral and carotid involvement is described in literature.