Ergoloid mesylates have been used for many years for the treatment of dementia. More popular in Europe ergoloid mesylates have been superceded by the FDA approved medications for Alzheimer's disease such as Aricept.
Ergoloid mesylates are from a group of drugs known as ergot alkaloids, a rye fungus and is thought to work as an anti oxidant and as a vasodilator of the vessels in the brain. Vasodilation is where blood vessels in the body become wider following the relaxation of the smooth muscle in the vessel wall.
Research of the Effectiveness of Ergoloid Mesylate
There have been many pieces of research looking at just how effective ergoloid mesylates are. A prospective study by L. S. Schneider and J. T. Olin in 1994 looked at 151 trial of which 30% 47 met selected criteria. They found that overall ergoloid mesylates were more effective than placebo. However, the effect in patients with possible Alzheimer's dementia was very modest at best. The dose-response relation suggests that potentially effective doses may be higher than the currently approved. The circumstances of the efficacy of Hydergine remain inadequately defined.
Vascular dementia appears to respond better to the drug.
Marc E Agronin quotes sources as saying that in most cases ergoloid mesylate research studies only consisted of small sample sizes "without consistent methods of diagnosis".
Note that it may take up to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.
Dosage for Ergoloid Mesylate
Typical dosage for ergoloid mesylate is 3 mg to 6 mg per day although dosage can range from 1.5 mg to 12 mg per day. The dosage is usually divided into three doses. Ergoloid mesylate can be bought as a tablet or as a liquid.
Other names and Brand names of Ergoloid mesylates
* Hydergine,
* Gerimal,
* Niloric,
* Nicergoline (Sermion),
* Dihydroergotoxine,
* Dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
•herbal supplements with Ephedra, Ma huang
•medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan
•other ergot alkaloids like bromocriptine, cabergoline, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine, and methysergide
•some medicines for HIV
•voriconazole
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
•herbal supplements with Ephedra, Ma huang
•medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan
•other ergot alkaloids like bromocriptine, cabergoline, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine, and methysergide
•some medicines for HIV
•voriconazole
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using ergoloid mesylates with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, change some of the other medicines you take, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Grapefruit Juice
Side Effects of Ergoloid Mesylates
Common side effects include loss of appetite, mild nausea, vomiting, irritation of the tongue from the sublingual presentation of ergoloid mesylates. Ergoloid mesylates overall have a good safety record in short and long term use.
Contra indications for Ergoloid Mesylates
Inform your doctor if you are:
- Allergic to ergoloid mesylates or ergot alkaloids such as Cafergot, Ergostat or Bellergal.
- Allergic to other medications.
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy or breast feeding.
- If you have liver disease, slow heart beat, circulation problems, high or low blood pressure, a mental illness.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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