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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Migranal spray
(Message started by: Robert_C. on Aug 8th, 2004, 5:35pm)

Title: Migranal spray
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 8th, 2004, 5:35pm
Anybody with experience with Migranal spray?

I tried it for the first time Friday.  1 spray in each nostril (twice) and it did the thing.  Stopped the peak in less then 10 minutes.  It lasted almost 24 hours before the next serious peak at kip 8.

Now I'm not sure if I can take some more.  The Rx says to use no more then 6 sprays a DAY but the instructions in the box advice not to take more then 6 a WEEK.

There's no doctor around on the weekend so here I am.  Anybody ever tried Migranal before?

Robert

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by motye51 on Aug 8th, 2004, 6:10pm
What is it?  Where did you get it?
Melissa

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by pubgirl on Aug 8th, 2004, 6:16pm
It's an ergot alkaloid. Not commonly used for Ch as it has been superceded mainly by Sumatriptan but can be used if triptans don't work.

http://www.neuroconsult.co.uk/doctorssite/drugareas/drugs/drugmigranal.asp

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has relatively recently changed the dosage recommendations for its Migranal (dihydroergotamine mesylate) nasal spray. The maximum dosage allowed within 24 hours is now 2mg (four sprays) and the maximum weekly dose is 8mg (16 sprays).

Hope this helps

Wendy

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 8th, 2004, 7:09pm
Yes Mandy, it does help.  It means I can take some more now! [smiley=sayyes.gif]

Thanks

Robert

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by pubgirl on Aug 8th, 2004, 8:24pm
Do be careful though Robert, please!
Long term use of ergotamine is a bad idea as it can cause very serious circulation problems, even to the point of gangrene. It would be sensible to seek out a safer abortive for your longer term treatment e.g. 02.

Wendy

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 8th, 2004, 9:36pm
Don't worry Wendy, I'm to afraid of that stuff to abuse it. ;).  I haven't done it yet either.  I'll wait as long as I can.

Thanks for the concern though! :)

Robert

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 8th, 2004, 9:59pm

on 08/08/04 at 18:16:55, pubgirl wrote:
Migranal (dihydroergotamine mesylate) nasal spray. The maximum dosage allowed within 24 hours is now 2mg (four sprays) and the maximum weekly dose is 8mg (16 sprays).


This is DHE nasal spray. You cannot combine this with Triptans.

Maybe the spray dosing is different .... but DHE IV and IM maxium dose is supposed to be 2 mg / day and 6 mg week. (Correct me if i'm wrong)

(I would think that @ 8 mg / week  ... side effects would become noticable ... [ie. leg pain, ankle pain, circulatory problems, whitening of the fingers and toes, elevated BP] )

Unsolved

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 8th, 2004, 10:33pm
The label on the box clearly says "no more then 6 spray a day".

[smiley=huh.gif]

>:(

[smiley=hammer.gif] the neuro or the pharmacy.

But you right Un-Solved, it might be different for the spray (but I don't see why).

I already sent an e-mail to my neuro.  I will get his answer tomorrow and let you know.

Thanks guys, feels great to be able to do this. [smiley=hug.gif]

Robert

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Samantha_Smith on Aug 9th, 2004, 12:12pm
Yeah!  I'm glad you found something that worked! Many years ago I used more than I was supposed to of Migranal (the spray and also DHE 45 injections) and my toes/legs and arms/fingers got very numb, tingly and lost their color.  Whatever you do don't mix triptans(Imitrex, etc) with Migranal/DHE in the same 24 hour period! Don't be dumb like me.....

P.S. dihydroergotamine (aka DHE) is the active ingredient in Migranal

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by matthe on Aug 11th, 2004, 3:10pm
Interesting subject.  I was trying to find the common name of this drug a few weeks ago and could not.  My doc ordered ERGOMAR as an alternative to the spray.  The ergomar is a sublingual 2mg tablet which worked wonders.  The only problem was that it was taking two per day to stay CH free.  The box clearly states no more than five a week.  That would be a total of 10 MG of ergotamine weekly.  

Once I discussed the number of pills I needed per week to stay CH free(14),  he moved me to the IMITREX (which clearly states no Ergotamine is to be used within 24 hours) and a preventative (Lithium).  So far so good.  Only one CH since going on the Lithiium and the Imitrex killed it.  I use O2 in the evening.

Where can I get the migranal spray?

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Samantha_Smith on Aug 11th, 2004, 3:39pm
When I was using Migranal I had to go to a phramacy that specialized in "hard to find", "specialized", or "compounded" medications.  If there is a large hospital nearby that has a pharmacy ask them if they could order it for you.  The chances that they would happen to have a Migranal Kit on hand is fairly slim. Usually it must be ordered. If they can't order it then start calling around to other pharmacies. Good luck.
     Samantha

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by UN_SOLVED on Aug 11th, 2004, 4:31pm

on 08/11/04 at 15:10:09, matthe wrote:
Where can I get the migranal spray?


Pharmacy Solutions    (734) 821-8000    5204 Jackson Rd,  Ann Arbor,  MI 48103  

They can get anything you want (that's legal)

Unsolved

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by sarahmom on Aug 11th, 2004, 9:12pm
Robert,
How's the Migranal spray working out for you??  My recent experience of DHE (Migranal) has been pretty good for the Clusters, but not as superb for the Migraines the hit me also.  To try to stop my CH cycle, I was on a DHE IV for two days, and then wore a DHE pump for 9 days, which gave me a constant dose of the DHE.  After that, I use the Migranal spray when the head starts up.  I ALWAYS have to take a Phenegran when I use it, though.  I try to take the Phenegran as soon as I even think I may have to take the Migranal.  
I absolutely hate the taste of the spray when it begins to settle, bigtime gag factor.  I have a really hard time with it.  I havnt had a monster hit me since day 6-7 of the DHE pump (thank GOD) but I've had the migraines hit me, on top of a few  other things.  
The big side effects I do have are stuffy noses, or of I have to use it more than two or three days in a row for heavy headache days, the leg cramps set in.  The Migranal doesnt completely take away my Migraine headaches but it certainly helps me function daily now (only as needed).  It's a better trade of for me then a lot of the other abortive drugs i've been put on, with all the side effects I've experienced.
Good luck with it, and let me know how you make out with the DHE/Migranal!  
Would be nice to hear how others do with it, too.

Title: Re: Migranal spray
Post by Robert_C. on Aug 12th, 2004, 12:12am
Here's the final result: Robert:1  Neuro: dead

My neuro e-mailed me back Monday (it's so much easier for him then to take the time to call me) and he said that I should stop the Migranal immediately because it's an ergot that could cause serious vasospam in patients with a history of heart problem (meaning…ME).

WHAT?????  ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I checked on the Migranal website for the dosage, and found that I am not suppose to take more then 8 spray a WEEK.

First, I think the RX was mislabeled OR misprescribed and that somebody screwed-up major time here, and second, he's telling me that he prescribed this to me without checking the other medications I'm taking?

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGG!!!!

I'm too FUCKING PISSED to call him back.  I'm too FUCKING PISSED to make any decision on this right now.  (Killing or no killing? hmmmmm!)

Over all that, I'm so FUCKING PISSED that my head's gona explode!

Robert



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