Ergometrine
- produces fast contractions super-imposed on tonic persistent increase in
uterine tone
- Uterus is sensitive at all times, but esp in late pregnancy
Use
- given with oxytocin to control bleeding due to incomplete abortion
- with oxytocin as routine management of third stage labour
- +/- oxytocin for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage
Route
- 200-500microgramme IM (onset of action 5 mins)
- in emergency 100-500 microgramme IV reduces onset to 1 min
Cautions
- cardiac disease
- hypertension
- hepatic and renal impairment
- multiple pregnancy
- porphyria
Contra-indications
- induction of labour
- first and second stages of labour
- vascular disease
- severe cardiac disease
- impaired pulmonary function
- severe hepatic and renal impairment
- sepsis
- severe hypertension
- eclampsia
Side-effects
- nausea
- vomiting
- headache
- dizzyness
- tinnitus
- abdominal pain
- chest pain
- palpitations
- dyspnoea
- bradycardia
- transient hypertension
- vasoconstriction
- stroke
- myocardial infarction
- pulmonary oedema
Dose
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