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Long‐term ergotamine abuse: Effect on adrenergically induced mydriasis
Author(s) -
Fanciullacci Marcello,
Alessandri Massimo,
Pietrini Umberto,
BriccolaniBandini Enrico,
Beatrice Salvatore
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1992.26
Subject(s) - ergotamine , mydriasis , phenylephrine , migraine , medicine , anesthesia , blood pressure
The mydriatic action of sympathomimetic eyedrops after a therapeutic dose of ergotamine was measured in migraine patients with and without histories of long‐term ergotamine abuse. Mydriasis induced by the postsynaptic α 1 ‐agonist phenylephrine was similar in both groups of patients tested, whereas pupillary dilation caused by the release of noradrenaline tyramine was markedly greater in patients with histories of ergotamine abuse. The enhanced response to tyramine disappeared after drug withdrawal. These findings indicate that continuous ergotamine medication causes a reversible alteration in iris sympathetic transmission. This manifestation may reflect a central inhibition of pupillary sympathetic activity. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 51, 302–307; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1992.26