Substance
Ergotamines or ergot alkaloids

Pathology
Central sympatholytic effects: serotonin release and interference with neuronal uptake. Peripherally, may act as a partial alpha-adrenergic agonist or an antagonist at adrenergic, dopaminergic, and tryptaminergic receptors.

Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, headache, thirst, weak pulse, tingling and numbness of extremities, dyspnea, hallucinations, blood pressure changes, hemorrhagic vesiculations, paresthesias, peripheral ischemia, convulsions, loss of consciousness, gangrene.

Emergency Measures
Protect the airway, and provide ventilatory assistance as needed. Give multiple doses of activated charcoal to enhance drug elimination. Provide benzodiazepines to control seizures. Use nitroglycerin, heparin, or thrombolytics for organ ischemia.

Comments
Outcome is based on route and amount of ingestion.