What is Methergine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Methergine overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Methergine

Generic Names:

  • Methylergonovine Maleate

Uses:

  • Prevents bleeding from the uterus that can happen after childbirth. This medicine is an ergot alkaloid.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Uterine Stimulant

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Methergine used for?

Methergine is used by pregnant women after delivering the baby to prevent bleeding from the uterus. It works by enhancing the amount, strength, and stiffness of contractions in the uterus muscles. This helps to slow the bleeding. Methergine also helps to deliver the placenta (afterbirth) just after the baby has been born.

What form(s) does Methergine come in

  • Tablet

What are common Methergine doses?

  • Tablet 0.2MG

Common Methergine prescriptions

  • Methergine
    0.2mg tablet

How to take Methergine

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. This medicine is usually given for up to 1 week after childbirth, as directed by your doctor.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. This medicine is usually given for up to 1 week after childbirth, as directed by your doctor.

What to do if you miss a dose of Methergine

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Methergine contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to methylergonovine, or if you have high blood pressure or toxemia. If you are pregnant, you should use this medicine only if you are in labor.

Methergine warnings

  • This medicine may increase your chance of heart problems or a heart attack. This is more likely if you already have heart disease, if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, or if you smoke or are overweight. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort; nausea or vomiting; pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck; trouble breathing; or sweating.

  • Your doctor will check your progress closely while you are taking this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease (such as coronary artery disease), or blood vessel disease.

  • Do not breastfeed for at least 12 hours after your last dose of this medicine.

  • Your unborn baby could be harmed if you use this medicine before you go into labor. This medicine may cause contractions of the uterus and cause you to give birth early.

  • Tingling of the fingers, toes, or feet

Methergine interactions

  • This medicine may increase your chance of heart problems or a heart attack. This is more likely if you already have heart disease, if you have diabetes or high cholesterol, or if you smoke or are overweight. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort; nausea or vomiting; pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck; trouble breathing; or sweating.

  • Your doctor will check your progress closely while you are taking this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat an infection (such as clarithromycin, clotrimazole, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, troleandomycin, voriconazole, Biaxin®, Diflucan®, Ery-tab®, Nizoral®), medicine to treat HIV infection (such as delavirdine, indinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, Norvir®, Rescriptor®), or medicine to treat depression (such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, Serzone®). Tell your doctor if you are also using rifampicin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), zileuton (Zyflo®) or medicine to treat severe chest pain or angina (such as nitroglycerin, Nitro-Bid®, Nitrostat®, Transderm-Nitro®).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using another ergot medicine (such as ergotamine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®) or a blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, Bystolic®, Tenormin®).

Methergine side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Tingling of the fingers, toes, or feet

  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

  • Seizures

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Chest pain or discomfort, fast or uneven heartbeat, sweating, trouble breathing, or pain in the arm, back, or jaw

  • Severe headache, blurred vision

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain

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