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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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METHERGINE (NDA-006035)

(METHYLERGONOVINE MALEATE)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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05/29/2025 (SUPPL-80)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

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Risk of Adverse Reactions or Reduced Therapeutic Effect Due to Drug Interactions

The concomitant use of Methylergonovine Maleate and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions or reduced therapeutic effect of Methylergonovine Maleate or the concomitant drug. (see CONTRAINDICATION and DRUG INTERACTION)

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PRECAUTIONS

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CYP 3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., Macrolide Antibiotics and Protease Inhibitors)

There have been rare reports of serious adverse events in connection with the coadministration of certain ergot alkaloid drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine and ergotamine) and potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors, resulting in vasospasm leading to cerebral ischemia and/or ischemia of the extremities. Although there have been no reports of such interactions with methylergonovine alone, strong and moderate CYP 3A4 inhibitors should not be co-administered with methylergonovine. Examples of some of the strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors include saquinavir, grapefruit juice, nefazodone, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., troleandomycin, clarithromycin), HIV protease or reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir) or azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole). Moderate inhibitors include fluconazole, fluvoxamine and clotrimazole. Weak CYP 3A4 inhibitors should be administered with caution. Weak inhibitors include chlorzoxazone, cilostazol, and ranitidine. These lists are not exhaustive, and the prescriber should consider the effects on CYP 3A4 of other agents being considered for concomitant use with methylergonovine.

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Labor and Delivery

The uterotonic effect of Methergine is utilized after delivery to assist involution and decrease hemorrhage, shortening the third stage of labor. Caution should be exercised during the second stage of labor. The necessity for manual removal of a retained placenta should occur only rarely with proper technique and adequate allowance of time for its spontaneous separation.

Nursing Mothers

Mothers should not breast-feed during treatment with Methergine and at least 12 hours after administration of the last dose. Milk secreted during this period should be discarded.

Methylergonovine Maleate may produce adverse effects in the breast-feeding infant. Methylergonovine Maleate may also reduce the yield of breast milk

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Hepatic Impairment

No studies have been performed in subjects with hepatic impairment. Methylergometrine is mostly eliminated by hepatic metabolism and excretion. Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.

 

Renal Impairment

No studies have been performed in subjects with renal impairment. Renal excretion contributes to the elimination of methylergometrine and its metabolites. Use with caution in patients with renal impairment.