Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Desernil, Sansert |
Other names | UML-491; 1-Methylmethylergonovine; N-[(2S)-1-Hydroxybutan-2-yl]-1,6-dimethyl-9,10-didehydroergoline-8α-carboxamide; N-(1-(Hydroxymethyl)propyl)-1-methyl-D-lysergamide |
AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
MedlinePlus | a603022 |
Pregnancy category |
|
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
KEGG | |
ChEMBL | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.041 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C21H27N3O2 |
Molar mass | 353.466 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| |
| |
(verify) |
Methysergide, sold under the brand names Deseril and Sansert, is a monoaminergic medication of the ergoline and lysergamide groups which is used in the prophylaxis and treatment of migraine and cluster headaches. [2] It has been withdrawn from the market in the United States and Canada due to safety concerns. [3] It is taken by mouth. [3]
The drug is a prodrug of methylergometrine (methylergonovine), [4] which circulates at levels about 10 times higher than those of methysergide during treatment with methysergide. [5] [6] [4] Whereas methysergide is a mixed agonist of some serotonin receptors (e.g., the 5-HT1 receptors) and antagonist of other serotonin receptors (e.g., the 5-HT2 receptors), methylergonovine is a non-selective agonist of most of the serotonin receptors, including of both the serotonin 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor subgroups. [7] Methysergide and methylergometrine are ergolines and lysergamides and are related to the ergot alkaloids. [8]
Methysergide was first described in the literature by 1958. [9] [10] It is no longer recommended as a first-line therapy for migraines or cluster headaches. This is due to toxicity, such as cardiac valvulopathy, which was first reported with long-term use in the late 1960s. [11] Ergot-based medications like methysergide fell out of favor for treatment of migraine with the introduction of the triptans in the 1980s.
Methysergide is used exclusively to treat episodic and chronic migraine and for episodic and chronic cluster headaches. [12] Methysergide is one of the most effective [13] medications for the prevention of migraine, but is not intended for the treatment of an acute attack, it is to be taken daily as a preventative medication.
Methysergide has been known as an effective treatment for migraine and cluster headache for over 50 years. A 2016 investigation by the European Medicines Agency due to long-held questions about safety concerns was performed. To assess the need for continuing availability of methysergide, the International Headache Society performed an electronic survey among their professional members.
The survey revealed that 71.3% of all respondents had ever prescribed methysergide and 79.8% would prescribe it if it were to become available. Respondents used it more in cluster headache than migraine, and reserved it for use in refractory patients.
The European Medicines Agency concluded "that the vast majority of headache experts in this survey regarded methysergide a unique treatment option for specific populations for which there are no alternatives, with an urgent need to continue its availability."
This position was supported by the International Headache Society. [14]
Updated guidelines published by Britain's National Health Service Migraine Trust in 2014 recommended "Methysergide medicines are now only to be used for preventing severe intractable migraine and cluster headache when standard medicines have failed". [15]
Methysergide is also used in carcinoid syndrome to treat severe diarrhea. [12] It may also be used in the treatment of serotonin syndrome. [16]
It has a known side effect, retroperitoneal fibrosis/retropulmonary fibrosis, [17] which is severe, although uncommon. This side effect has been estimated to occur in 1/5000 patients. [18] In addition, there is an increased risk of left-sided cardiac valve dysfunction. [13]
Methysergide interacts with the serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT1E, 5-HT1F, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5A, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors and the α2A-, α2B-, and α2C-adrenergic receptors. [19] It does not have significant affinity for human 5-HT3, dopamine, α1-adrenergic, β-adrenergic, acetylcholine, GABA, glutamate, cannabinoid, or histamine receptors, nor for the monoamine transporters. [19] Methysergide is an agonist of 5-HT1 receptors, including a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor, and is an antagonist at the 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT7 receptors. [3] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Methysergide is metabolized into methylergometrine in humans, which in contrast to methysergide is a partial agonist of the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors [25] [24] and also interacts with various other targets. [26]
Methysergide antagonizes the effects of serotonin in blood vessels and gastrointestinal smooth muscle, but has few of the properties of other ergot alkaloids. [27] It is thought that metabolism of methysergide into its active metabolite methylergonovine is responsible for the antimigraine effects of methysergide. [5] Methylergonovine appears to be 10 times more potent than methysergide as an agonist of the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors and has higher intrinsic efficacy in activating these receptors. [4] Methysergide produces psychedelic effects at high doses (3.5–7.5 mg). [28] Metabolism of methysergide into methylergonovine is considered to be responsible for the psychedelic effects of methysergide. [26] The psychedelic effects can specifically be attributed to activation of the 5-HT2A receptor. [29] The medication can activate the 5-HT2B receptor due to metabolism into methylergonovine and for this reason has been associated with cardiac valvulopathy. [30] [6] [11] It is thought that the serotonin receptor antagonism of methysergide is not able to overcome the serotonin receptor agonism of methylergonovine due to the much higher levels of methylergonovine during methysergide therapy. [6]
Site | Affinity (Ki [nM]) | Efficacy (Emax [%]) | Action |
---|---|---|---|
5-HT1A | 14–25 | 89% | Full or partial agonist |
5-HT1B | 2.5–162 | ? | Full agonist |
5-HT1D | 3.6–93 | 50 | Partial agonist |
5-HT1E | 59–324 | ? | Full agonist |
5-HT1F | 34 | ? | Full agonist |
5-HT2A | 1.6–104 | 0 | Antagonist or agonist |
5-HT2B | 0.1–150 | 0–20 | Silent antagonist or weak partial agonist |
5-HT2C | 0.95–4.5 | 0 | Silent antagonist |
5-HT3 | >10,000 | – | – |
5-HT5A | >10,000 | – | Antagonist |
5-HT5B | 41–1,000 | ? | ? |
5-HT6 | 30–372 | ? | ? |
5-HT7 | 30–83 | ? | Antagonist |
α1A | >10,000 | – | – |
α1B | >10,000 | – | – |
α1D | ? | ? | ? |
α2A | 170–>1,000 | ? | ? |
α2B | 106 | ? | ? |
α2C | 88 | ? | ? |
β1 | >10,000 | – | – |
β2 | >10,000 | – | – |
D1 | 290 | ? | ? |
D2 | 200–>10,000 | ? | ? |
D3 | >10,000 | – | – |
D4 | >10,000 | – | – |
D5 | >10,000 | – | – |
H1 | 3,000–>10,000 | ? | ? |
H2 | >10,000 | – | – |
M1 | 5,459 | ? | ? |
M2 | 6,126 | ? | ? |
M3 | 4,632 | ? | ? |
M4 | >10,000 | – | – |
M5 | >10,000 | – | – |
Notes: All sites are human except 5-HT5B (mouse/rat—no human counterpart) and D3 (rat). [19] Negligible affinity (>10,000 nM) for various other receptors (GABA, glutamate, nicotinic acetylcholine, prostanoid) and for the monoamine transporters (SERT, NET, DAT). [19] Methysergide's major active metabolite, methylergonovine, also contributes to its activity, most notably 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptor partial agonism. [25] [30] [3] [32] Additional refs: [7] [3] [32] [33] [25] |
The oral bioavailability of methysergide is 13% due to high first-pass metabolism into methylergonovine. [5] Methysergide produces methylergonovine as a major active metabolite. [5] [6] [4] Levels of methylergonovine are about 10-fold higher than those of methysergide during methysergide therapy. [5] [6] [4] As such, methysergide may be considered a prodrug of methylergonovine. [4] The elimination half-life of methylergonovine is almost four times as long as that of methysergide. [4]
Methysergide, also known as N-[(2S)-1-hydroxybutan-2-yl]-1,6-dimethyl-9,10-didehydroergoline-8α-carboxamide or N-(1-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)-1-methyl-D-lysergamide, is a derivative of the ergolines and lysergamides and is structurally related to other members of these families, for instance lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Harold Wolff's theory of vasodilation in migraine is well-known. Less known is his search for a perivascular factor that would damage local tissues and increase pain sensitivity during migraine attacks. Serotonin was found to be among the candidate agents to be included.
In the same period, serotonin was isolated (1948) and, because of its actions, an anti-serotonin drug was needed.
Methysergide was synthesized from lysergic acid by adding a methyl group and a butanolamid group. This resulted in a compound with selectivity and high potency as a serotonin (5-HT) inhibitor. Based on the possible involvement of serotonin in migraine attacks, it was introduced in 1959 by Sicuteri as a preventive drug for migraine. The clinical effect was often excellent, but 5 years later it was found to cause retroperitoneal fibrosis after chronic intake.
Consequently, the use of the drug in migraine declined considerably, but it was still used as a 5-HT antagonist in experimental studies. In 1974 Saxena showed that methysergide had a selective vasoconstrictor effect in the carotid bed and in 1984 he found an atypical receptor. This finding provided an incentive for the development of sumatriptan. [34]
Novartis withdrew it from the U.S. market after taking over Sandoz, but currently lists it as a discontinued product. [35]
US production of Methysergide, (Sansert), was discontinued on the manufacturer's own behalf in 2002. Sansert had previously been produced by Sandoz, which merged with Ciba-Geigy in 1996, and led to the creation of Novartis. In 2003 Novartis united its global generics businesses under a single global brand, with the Sandoz name and product line reviewed and reestablished.
Methysergide has been an effective treatment for migraine and cluster headache for over 50 years but has systematically been suppressed from the migraine and cluster headache marketplace for over 15 years due to unqualified risk benefit/ratio safety concerns. [36]
Many cite the potential side effects of retroperitoneal/retropulmonary fibrosis as the prime reason methysergide is no longer frequently prescribed, but retroperitoneal fibrosis, and retropulmonary fibrosis, were documented as side effects as early as 1966, [37] and 1967, [38] respectively.
Sumatriptan, sold under the brand name Imitrex among others, is a medication used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches. It is taken orally, intranasally, or by subcutaneous injection. Therapeutic effects generally occur within three hours.
Ergoline is a chemical compound whose structural skeleton is contained in a variety of alkaloids, referred to as ergoline derivatives or ergoline alkaloids. Ergoline alkaloids, one being ergine, were initially characterized in ergot. Some of these are implicated in the condition ergotism, which can take a convulsive form or a gangrenous form. Even so, many ergoline alkaloids have been found to be clinically useful. Annual world production of ergot alkaloids has been estimated at 5,000–8,000 kg of all ergopeptines and 10,000–15,000 kg of lysergic acid, used primarily in the manufacture of semi-synthetic derivatives.
Ergotamine, sold under the brand name Ergomar among others, is an ergopeptine and part of the ergot family of alkaloids; it is structurally and biochemically closely related to ergoline. It is structurally similar to several neurotransmitters, and it acts as a vasoconstrictor. It is used for acute migraines, sometimes with caffeine as the combination ergotamine/caffeine.
Bromocriptine, originally marketed as Parlodel and subsequently under many brand names, is an ergoline derivative and dopamine agonist that is used in the treatment of pituitary tumors, Parkinson's disease, hyperprolactinaemia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and, as an adjunct, type 2 diabetes.
Pergolide, sold under the brand name Permax and Prascend (veterinary) among others, is an ergoline-based dopamine receptor agonist used in some countries for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is associated with reduced dopamine synthesis in the substantia nigra of the brain. Pergolide acts on many of the same receptors as dopamine to increase receptor activity.
Triptans are a family of tryptamine-based drugs used as abortive medication in the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. This drug class was first commercially introduced in the 1990s. While effective at treating individual headaches, they do not provide preventive treatment and are not considered a cure. They are not effective for the treatment of tension–type headache, except in persons who also experience migraines. Triptans do not relieve other kinds of pain.
Ropinirole, sold under the brand name Requip among others, is a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS). It is taken by mouth.
Dihydroergotamine (DHE), sold under the brand names D.H.E. 45 and Migranal among others, is an ergot alkaloid used to treat migraines. It is a derivative of ergotamine. It is administered as a nasal spray or injection and has an efficacy similar to that of sumatriptan. Nausea is a common side effect.
Methylergometrine, also known as methylergonovine and sold under the brand name Methergine, is a medication of the ergoline and lysergamide groups which is used as an oxytocic in obstetrics and as an antimigraine agent in the treatment of migraine headaches. It reportedly produces psychedelic effects similar to those of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at high doses.
Eletriptan, sold under the brand name Relpax and used in the form of eletriptan hydrobromide, is a second-generation triptan medication intended for treatment of migraine headaches. It is used as an abortive medication, blocking a migraine attack which is already in progress. Eletriptan is marketed and manufactured by Pfizer Inc.
Guanfacine, sold under the brand name Tenex (immediate-release) and Intuniv (extended-release) among others, is an oral alpha-2a agonist medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high blood pressure. Guanfacine is FDA-approved for monotherapy treatment of ADHD, as well as being used for augmentation of other treatments, such as stimulants. Guanfacine is also used off-label to treat tic disorders, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Lisuride, sold under the brand name Dopergin among others, is a monoaminergic medication of the ergoline class which is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, migraine, and high prolactin levels. It is taken by mouth.
A serotonin receptor agonist is an agonist of one or more serotonin receptors. They activate serotonin receptors in a manner similar to that of serotonin, a neurotransmitter and hormone and the endogenous ligand of the serotonin receptors.
meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) is a psychoactive drug of the phenylpiperazine class. It was initially developed in the late-1970s and used in scientific research before being sold as a designer drug in the mid-2000s. It has been detected in pills touted as legal alternatives to illicit stimulants in New Zealand and pills sold as "ecstasy" in Europe and the United States.
Cardiac fibrosis commonly refers to the excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the cardiac muscle, but the term may also refer to an abnormal thickening of the heart valves due to inappropriate proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. Fibrotic cardiac muscle is stiffer and less compliant and is seen in the progression to heart failure. The description below focuses on a specific mechanism of valvular pathology but there are other causes of valve pathology and fibrosis of the cardiac muscle.
A serotonin antagonist, or serotonin receptor antagonist, is a drug used to inhibit the action of serotonin and serotonergic drugs at serotonin (5-HT) receptors.
5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B (5-HT2B) also known as serotonin receptor 2B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HTR2B gene. 5-HT2B is a member of the 5-HT2 receptor family that binds the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). Like all 5-HT2 receptors, the 5-HT2B receptor is Gq/G11-protein coupled, leading to downstream activation of phospholipase C.
Terguride, sold under the brand name Teluron, is a serotonin receptor antagonist and dopamine receptor agonist of the ergoline family. It is approved for and used as a prolactin inhibitor in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia in Japan. Terguride is taken by mouth.
2-Bromo-LSD, also known as BOL-148 or as bromolysergide, is a derivative of lysergic acid invented by Albert Hofmann, as part of the original research from which the closely related compound LSD was also derived. It is a non-hallucinogenic serotonin 5-HT2A receptor partial agonist, as well as acting at other targets, with psychoplastogenic and antidepressant-like effects in animals.
VU0530244 is a potent, selective, and putatively peripherally restricted serotonin 5-HT2B receptor antagonist which was first described in 2023. Another similar drug, VU0631019, was also described alongside VU0530244. They were identified via high-throughput screening (HTS).