Epinephrine and Ergotamine and caffeine interaction
Epinephrine and Ergotamine and caffeine: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Epinephrine label · effective 2026-07-06
…hormones Diuretics Cardiac glycosides, such as digitalis glycosides Quinidine Drugs potentiating hypokalemic effects of epinephrine • Potassium depleting diuretics • Corticosteroids • Theophylline Epinephrine should not be used to counteract circulatory collapse or hypotension caused by phenothiazines, as a reversal of the pressor effects of epinephrine may result…
• Drugs that potentiate the effects of epinephrine include sympathomimetics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, clonidine, doxapram, oxytocin, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines.
• Potassium-depleting drugs, including corticosteroids, diuretics, and theophylline, potentiate the hypokalemic effects of epinephrine.
…effects of epinephrine α-blockers, such as phentolamine Vasodilators, such as nitrates Diuretics Antihypertensives Ergot alkaloids Drugs potentiating pressor effects of epinephrine • Sympathomimetics • β-blockers, such as propranolol • Tricyclic anti-depressants • Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors • Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, such as entacapone…
• Drugs that counter the pressor effects of epinephrine include alpha blockers, vasodilators such as nitrates, diuretics, antihypertensives, and ergot alkaloids.
From the Ergotamine and caffeine (Cafergot) label · effective 2026-03-23
The beta-blocker Inderal (propranolol) has been reported to potentiate the vasoconstrictive action of ergotamine tartrate and caffeine tablets by blocking the vasodilating property of epinephrine.
Use with sympathomimetics (pressor agents) may cause extreme elevation of blood pressure.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.