In the U.S.—

In Canada—

Another commonly used name is dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids.

• Dementia symptoms treatment adjunct

Ergoloid mesylates (ER-goe-loid MESS-i-lates ) belongs to the group of medicines known as ergot alkaloids. It is used to treat some mood, behavior, or other problems that may be due to changes in the brain from Alzheimer's disease or multiple small strokes.

This medicine is different from other ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine and methysergide. It is not useful for treating migraine headache. The exact way ergoloid mesylates acts on the body is not known.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S.)
• Oral solution (U.S.)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Sublingual (under-the-tongue)
• Tablets (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ergoloid mesylates, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ergot alkaloids. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases 2 different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Liver disease—Higher blood levels of ergoloid mesylates may occur, increasing the chance of side effects

• Low blood pressure or
• Other mental problems or
• Slow heartbeat—Ergoloid mesylates may make the condition worse

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often or for a longer period of time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of unwanted effects.

For patients taking the sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets:

• Dissolve the tablet under your tongue. The sublingual tablet should not be chewed or swallowed, since it works much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while a tablet is dissolving.

Dosing—

The dose of ergoloid mesylates will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ergoloid mesylates. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets or milliliters of oral solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking ergoloid mesylates.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, tablets, sublingual tablets, or oral solution):
  • Adults: 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) three times a day.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. If you have any questions about this, or if you miss two or more doses in a row, check with your doctor.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the oral solution from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working and to check for unwanted effects.

It may take several weeks for this medicine to work. However, do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common or rare
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position;  drowsiness;  skin rash;  slow pulse 
  
  

• Signs and symptoms of overdose
  • Blurred vision;  dizziness;  fainting;  flushing;  headache;  loss of appetite;  nausea or vomiting;  stomach cramps;  stuffy nose 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• Less common or rare
  • Soreness under tongue (with sublingual use) 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.