ergotamine
noun
er·got·a·mine
| \ (ˌ)ər-ˈgä-tə-ˌmēn
\
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Definition of ergotamine
: an alkaloid C33H35N5O5 derived from ergot that is used chiefly in the form of its tartrate especially in treating migraine
Examples of ergotamine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first such drugs, called ergotamines, were powerful vasoconstrictors derived from the ergot fungus, which grows on rye and other grains and led to mass poisonings in the Middle Ages. — Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, "Will antibodies finally put an end to migraines?," 18 May 2018 That idea was reinforced in the late 1930s with the publication of a paper on the use of ergotamine tartrate, an alkaloid that was known to constrict blood vessels. — David Noonan, Scientific American, "New Nerve Drugs May Finally Prevent Migraine Headaches," 1 Dec. 2015 Yet even refined, synthetic versions of ergotamine can dangerously narrow blood vessels, so doctors and patients welcomed the triptans, which selectively constrict the blood vessels of the brain. — Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, "Will antibodies finally put an end to migraines?," 18 May 2018 As treatments, though, ergotamine and serotonin have serious problems. — R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, "Can Anything Stop My Migraine?," 1 May 2017 The result, after a decade of work, was sumatriptan, which, like ergotamine, both eased pain and constricted blood vessels. — R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, "Can Anything Stop My Migraine?," 1 May 2017 While some people are helped by low cost, over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, others need stronger prescription medications, such as sumatriptan and ergotamine, which constrict the blood vessels in the brain and can cause dizziness or nausea. — NBC News, "New drug uses antibodies to stop chronic migraines, without side effects," 17 Apr. 2018 It is normally associated with certain medications, such as ergotamine or triptans, and illicit drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines -- not peppers. — Mark Lieber, CNN, "Brain effects of 'hottest pepper in the world' put man in hospital," 9 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ergotamine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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