Giving birth to a child is one of the most beautiful and special experiences in a mother's life. But sometimes, after giving birth, a mother may face unexpected health problems. The most important and dangerous of these is excessive bleeding after childbirth. Methylergonovine is a very important drug that doctors use to control this condition. Today, we are talking about this drug.
Simply put, what is Methylergonovine?
Methylergonovine is a drug belonging to the group of drugs called 'Ergot Alkaloid'. It is usually found in the market in our country under the name `(Methergine)`. Imagine, if the mother's uterus does not contract properly after giving birth, the blood vessels there start to bleed excessively. This is a very dangerous condition.
This is when doctors use this Methylergonovine injection. When this injection is given, the muscles of the uterus contract tightly. Just as squeezing a water pipe stops the flow of water, when the uterus contracts, the flow of blood is controlled. So, the main function of this is to stop or prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.
The most important thing is that this is not a medicine for general use. It is only given in a hospital, under medical supervision.
Things the doctor needs to tell you before giving you this medicine:
This is very important. It can be dangerous to use this medicine with certain medical conditions in your body. Therefore, before you are given this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Health condition or problem | Why should you inform the doctor? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | This medicine can increase blood pressure. That's why this is the most important thing to be aware of. |
| Heart Disease | Because it can affect heart function. |
| Liver or Kidney Disease | Because these organs are important in the process of removing drugs from the body, diseases in them can alter the effectiveness of the drug. |
| Circulatory problems | The blood vessels in the limbs can become constricted, causing pain and numbness. |
| An infection | The effect of this medicine may change in the presence of certain infections. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | It is dangerous if you are allergic to this medicine or any other medicine in the Ergot group. |
| If you are currently breastfeeding (Breast-feeding) | This medicine can pass into breast milk. We will talk about that further. |
How is this medicine given?
This medicine is usually injected into a muscle or, in some cases, into a vein. This is done by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. It is never a medicine that you can take home.
Also, since this is administered by the medical staff in the prescribed dosage at the prescribed time, you do not have to worry about missing a dose or overdose. If you suspect such a problem, that is, if you feel anything unusual after taking the medicine, inform the doctor or nurse immediately. In very rare cases, if an overdose is suspected, doctors will immediately inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital, as treatment is required.
Other medicines that should not be used with this medicine
Some medications you are taking may interact with this Methylergonovine medication. We call this ``Drug Interactions''. In that case, the effectiveness of this medication may be reduced or the side effects may increase. Therefore , it is essential to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
You should avoid using Methylergonovine with the following medications:
- Some antiviral drugs given for HIV or Hepatitis.
- Antifungal medications (e.g., `ketoconazole`, `itraconazole`).
- Some antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin).
- Triptans are drugs used for migraines.
- Grapefruit juice.
- Other drugs in the same ergot group (e.g. ergotamine).
This list is not complete, so please inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Things to be especially careful about when taking medication
About breastfeeding
This is very important for a new mother. Methylergonovine can pass into breast milk. It can also reduce breast milk production. Therefore, doctors advise that you avoid breastfeeding your baby for 12 hours after taking the last dose of this medicine . Do not give your baby expressed milk during this time. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
Be aware of symptoms.
The doctor will monitor your condition after you start taking the medication. However, if you notice anything unusual, such as bleeding that doesn't stop or any new symptoms, let them know immediately.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects. Some are common, but some are serious.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| ⚫ Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| ⚫ Chest pain or tightness | Pain in the chest, neck, back, or arms. This can be a sign of a heart attack. |
| ⚫ High blood pressure | Severe headaches, dizziness, vision changes. |
| ⚫ Stroke | Difficulty speaking, confusion, sudden numbness/weakness of the face, arm, or leg. |
| ⚫ Pain/numbness in the limbs | Pain, numbness, or blueness in the hands or feet. |
| ⚫ Seizures | Body shaking, loss of consciousness. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| ⚪ Headache | ⚪ Nausea (feeling like vomiting) |
| ⚪ Diarrhea (stomach ache) | ⚪ Pelvic (lower abdominal) pain |
This list does not include all possible side effects, so if you experience anything unusual, never be afraid to let the medical staff know.
Take-Home Message
- Methylergonovine is a very important, life-saving injection given to stop excessive bleeding after childbirth.
- This is only given in a hospital, under medical supervision. It is not a medicine that can be taken home and used.
- Be sure to inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or other medical conditions.
- Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including medications for other conditions and vitamins).
- If you have received this vaccine, avoid breastfeeding your baby for 12 hours after the last dose.
- If you experience a serious side effect such as chest pain, severe headache, or difficulty speaking, notify the medical staff immediately.
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