Page by: E.J. Mayeaux, Jr., M.D.
Louisiana State University Medical Center Shreveport, Louisiana
Verapamil - 240 to 480 mg/d PO - May cause hypotension, constipation, nausea, flushing, light-headedness, edema.
Prednisone - 10 to 60 mg/d PO- Avoid long-term use; observe general precautions.
Ergotamine - 1 to 2 mg q PM or 1 mg bid PO- May cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, dizziness, paresthesia, stroke, hypertension, ischemia/Ml, sexual dysfunction, tachycardia or bradycardia.
Methysergide - 2 to 8 mg/d POin 3 divided doses - Maximum of 4 to 6 mo with 1 mo drug holidays because of possible fibrotic complications. Peripheral ischemia and CNS and LSD-like disturbances (such as hallucinations) rarely occur.
Lithium carbonate - 300 to 1,200 mg/d PO divided tid or qid - Serum lithium concentrations should stay within range of 0.5 to 1.5 mEq/L.
Divalproex - 750 to 1,500 mg/d PO in divided doses - Side effects may include hepatic dysfunction, GI upset, tremor, sedation, nausea, weight gain, alopecia, rare pancreatitis and bone marrow suppression; polypharmacy (especially barbiturates and anticonvulsants) increases incidence of liver problems; obtain baseline CBC and liver function tests.
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