Use of ergotamine: do physicians in Colombia know how to prescribe it?

INTRODUCTION Ergot derivatives are drugs with vasoconstrictor effects that are used to abort migraine attacks. This study aims to determine how ergot derivatives are prescribed by physicians in Colombia, find variables associated with inappropriate prescribing, and review potential interactions in our patients. METHODS We reviewed 86 411 formulas during April 2012, identifying the prescription by drug, dose, interval, duration of use, and indication. We interviewed 288 randomly selected patients in whom we also investigated concomitant use of a) antihypertensive agents b) ischaemic heart disease treatments c) antiretrovirals d) other antimigraine drugs, and e) macrolides, because of their potential for interactions. RESULTS We identified 801 prescriptions from patients in 27 cities with a mean age of 35.1±14.1 years; 82.5% of the prescriptions were for women, 96.5% were written by primary care physicians, and 65.4% (n=524) corresponded to migraine treatments. There were 26 different prescription types and 797 prescriptions were incorrect with regard to usage recommendations (99.5%). Inappropriate prescribing was significantly associated with the health centre providing patient care (P=.005). Of the patients who were interviewed by telephone, 266 (92.4%) took the drug according to the erroneous indication. A total of 54 patients (6.7%) were treated with antihypertensive drugs, 24 (2.9%) with macrolides, and 5 (0.6%) with another concomitant antimigraine drug. DISCUSSION Most patients take ergotamine improperly, apart from the fact that potential interactions may increase the risk of health problems such as ergotism and coronary events. Physicians will require assessment measures, updated information, and continuous training.