ergotamine

noun

er·​got·​a·​mine (ˌ)ər-ˈgä-tə-ˌmēn How to pronounce ergotamine (audio)
: an alkaloid C33H35N5O5 derived from ergot that is used chiefly in the form of its tartrate especially in treating migraine

Examples of ergotamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ergots are alkaloids—either ergotamine or dihydroergotamine—sometimes combined with caffeine. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 13 Dec. 2023 Medicines that alleviate migraine symptoms include ergotamine and triptan drugs and pain relievers.37 Other migraine remedies include:37 Laying down in a dark, quiet room with your eyes shut Placing a cold compress on your forehead Staying hydrated 14. Amanda Gardner, Health, 31 Aug. 2023 However, to really erase migraine pain, the research noted above emphasizes that medicines—like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ergotamine, and triptan—are often the most effective solution. Julia Ries, SELF, 10 July 2023 The first such drugs, called ergotamines, were powerful vasoconstrictors derived from the ergot fungus, which grows on rye and other grains and led to mass poisonings in the Middle Ages. Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, 18 May 2018 That idea was reinforced in the late 1930s with the publication of a paper on the use of ergotamine tartrate, an alkaloid that was known to constrict blood vessels. David Noonan, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2015 Yet even refined, synthetic versions of ergotamine can dangerously narrow blood vessels, so doctors and patients welcomed the triptans, which selectively constrict the blood vessels of the brain. Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, 18 May 2018 As treatments, though, ergotamine and serotonin have serious problems. R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, 1 May 2017 The result, after a decade of work, was sumatriptan, which, like ergotamine, both eased pain and constricted blood vessels. R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, 1 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ergotamine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Ergotamin, from French ergot ergot + German -amin amine

Note: The term was introduced by the Swiss biochemist Arthur Stoll (1887-1971) and the German biochemist Karl Spiro (1867-1932) in "Über die wirksamen Substanzen des Mutterkorns," Actes de la Société Helvétique des Sciences Naturelles, 101e session annuelle du 29 août au 1er septembre 1920 à Neuchatel, IIe partie (1921), p. 235.

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ergotamine was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near ergotamine

Cite this Entry

“Ergotamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergotamine. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

ergotamine

noun
er·​got·​a·​mine (ˌ)ər-ˈgät-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce ergotamine (audio)
: an alkaloid that is derived from ergot and is used chiefly in the form of its tartrate (C33H35N5O5)2·C4H6O6 especially in treating migraine

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