Drugs & Vitamins

Bellergal-S Active Ingredients: Belladonna Alkaloids, Ergotamine, and Phenobarbital Tablets Representative Names: Bellacane SR, Bellaspas, Bellergal-S, Folergot-DF, Phenerbel-S, Spastrin Available Product Images: What are belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I take this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? What side effects may I notice from taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? What should I watch for while taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? Where can I keep my medicine? What are belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets? (Back to top) BELLADONNA ALKALOIDS; ERGOTAMINE; PHENOBARBITAL (Bellamine S®), Bellaphen S®, Bellaspas™, Bellergal®S, Bel-Phen-Ergot S®, Spastrin™ and others) is a combination of several different drugs. It is used to help prevent migraine or cluster headaches when it is taken on a regular basis. However, it will not treat an acute migraine headache. This drug is also commonly used to treat hot flashes, sweating, dizzy spells, and restlessness associated with menopause. While this drug may be used for other conditions, other uses are rare. Generic belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital tablets are available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •an alcohol or drug abuse problem •blood clots or blood vessel disease •chest pain •diarrhea •difficulty passing urine •GERD or esophageal reflux •glaucoma •heart disease, or previous heart attack •hiatal hernia •high blood pressure •high cholesterol •history of heart attacks •infection •kidney disease •liver disease •lung disease, chest infection or breathing difficulties •mental depression or mental problems •myasthenia gravis •poor circulation •porphyria •prostate trouble •stomach obstruction •tobacco smoker •ulcerative colitis •an unusual or allergic reaction to atropine, belladonna, ergotamine, hyoscyamine, phenobarbital, scopolamine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding (do not breast-feed while taking this medication) How should I take this medicine? (Back to top) Take this medication by mouth with a drink of water. Do not crush, chew, or cut the tablets. If this medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medication is not usually prescribed to children. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact with belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? (Back to top) This medication may interact with many other medications. Some of the important medications that might interact are listed. Check with your pharmacist before you take any new medicine. Do not use any of the following migraine drugs within 24 hours of this medicine: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan. Also, do not use this drug along with caffeine-ergotamine combinations (example: Cafergot® or Wigraine®); dihydroergotamine (DHE® or Migranal®); ergotamine (Ergomar®); methysergide (Sansert®); ergonovine; or methylergonovine. This medication may also interact with: •acetaminophen •alcohol •alosetron •amantadine •antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, and troleandomycin •antacids •antifungal drugs like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or voriconazole •aprepitant •benztropine •bromocriptine •cabergoline •caffeine •chloramphenicol •cisapride •cocaine •corticosteroids like prednisone or cortisone •cyclophosphamide •cyclosporine •danazol •digoxin •doxorubicin •doxycycline •ergoloid mesylates •female hormones, including birth control pills •grapefruit juice •medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems •medicines for colds, flu, or breathing difficulties •medicines for hay fever and other allergies •medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or other heart problems •medicines for mental depression, anxiety or other mood problems, especially fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and nefazodone •medicines for treating HIV infection or AIDS •medicines or herbal products for headaches •medicines or herbal products for weight loss or appetite control •medicines to control heart rhythm •metronidazole •nicotine •prescription pain medications like codeine, hydromorphone, and morphine •quinidine •quinine •seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine •tegaserod •theophylline •warfarin •zileuton Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •anxiety, nervousness •changes in behavior or mood •chest pain or tightness •cold hands or feet •confusion •decrease in the amount of urine passed •difficulty breathing •eye or vision problems •fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat •fever, chills or sore throat •hallucinations •leg or arm pain or cramps •redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth •seizures •skin rash, itching, hives •stomach pain •swelling of ankles, hands, face, or lips •tingling, pain or numbness in feet or hands •unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin •unusual tiredness or weakness •vomiting •weight loss •yellowing of skin or eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •altered taste •constipation •dizziness •drowsiness •dry mouth •increased sensitivity of the eyes to sun or light •nausea What should I watch for while taking belladonna alkaloids; ergotamine; phenobarbital? (Back to top) Do not exceed the dosage on the label or take this medicine for longer than prescribed. Taking this medicine more often or longer than prescribed may lead to dependence on this drug or may result in unwanted side effects. If you take this medication to prevent headaches, check with your prescriber if you do not get relief from using this medication. It is important to tell your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible if you get any of the following side effects: cold, numb, or painful hands or feet; leg cramps when walking; any type of pain around your chest; swelling; itching. This medication may decrease the circulation of blood to your skin, fingers, and toes. You may get more sensitive to the cold. Elderly patients are more likely to feel this effect. Avoid long exposure to the cold and dress warmly when appropriate to do so. Also avoid extreme heat (e.g., hot tubs, saunas). This medication can cause you to sweat less than normal, which may lead to heat stroke if your body temperature gets too high. You may get dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, avoid alcoholic drinks. Because tobacco smoking could increase the risk of side effects of this drug, you should avoid smoking. This medication can reduce the ability of birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Use another method of birth control while you are taking this medication or check with your prescriber regarding recommendations. Contact your prescriber for advice if you think you might be pregnant, this medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Stay out of bright light and wear sunglasses if this medication makes your eyes more sensitive to light. Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. This medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe. If you are going to have any type of surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medication. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep tightly closed and protect from heat and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Last Updated:09/12/2005 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.