A uterotonic (ergot) medicine
Ergometrine
An ergot medicine that contracts the womb to help control bleeding after birth.
What is Ergometrine?
Ergometrine is a uterotonic, a medicine that makes the womb contract, used by maternity teams to control bleeding after birth. It is often given combined with oxytocin as Syntometrine. By firming up the womb, it squeezes shut the blood vessels where the placenta was attached. It can raise blood pressure, so it is avoided in women with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, and it commonly causes nausea and vomiting. It is given by injection by maternity staff.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Ergometrine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Ergometrine is a medicine derived from ergot that makes the muscle of the womb contract strongly. Maternity teams use it to help the womb firm up after the baby and placenta are delivered, which reduces bleeding. It is frequently given combined with oxytocin (as Syntometrine) at the end of labour, and can also be used to treat heavy bleeding after birth. It is given by injection by midwives and doctors.
How it works
After birth, the womb needs to contract down to close the blood vessels left where the placenta was attached. Ergometrine makes the womb muscle contract firmly and stay contracted, which helps stop bleeding. It also narrows blood vessels more generally, which is why it can raise blood pressure and is avoided in women with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia. Combining it with oxytocin gives both a fast and a more sustained contraction.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A long-established ergot medicine used by UK maternity teams to contract the womb and control bleeding after birth.
Practical use
How to take Ergometrine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by injection by maternity staff; it is not something you take yourself.
- Your blood pressure will be checked, as it can raise blood pressure.
- Tell the team, if you can, about high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or heart problems, as it may be avoided in these cases.
- Expect that nausea or vomiting may follow, particularly with the combined Syntometrine injection.
- The team will watch how firmly the womb contracts and how much bleeding there is.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Ergometrine
Advantages
- Effectively firms up the womb to reduce or stop bleeding after birth.
- Combined with oxytocin (Syntometrine), it gives both a fast and a longer-lasting effect.
- A long-established, well-understood part of maternity care.
Disadvantages
- Raises blood pressure, so it is avoided in high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.
- Commonly causes nausea and vomiting.
- Must be given by injection by trained staff, with blood-pressure monitoring.
Practical use
Good to know
Ergometrine is given by maternity staff, usually around the time of delivery or to treat bleeding afterwards. The key caution is that it raises blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels, so it is avoided in women with high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or certain heart conditions; in those situations oxytocin alone is preferred. Nausea and vomiting are common, more so when it is combined with oxytocin. The team checks blood pressure and watches how the womb responds. When given as Syntometrine, both medicines act together — oxytocin quickly and ergometrine for longer. It is a routine, well-established part of care to reduce bleeding after birth, used selectively according to each woman's health.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- Women with high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, because it raises blood pressure.
- Women with certain heart or circulation conditions, where it can be harmful.
- Anyone with a known allergy to it or for whom the maternity team judges it unsuitable.
Monitoring
- Blood-pressure checks, given its tendency to raise blood pressure.
- Watching how firmly the womb contracts and how much bleeding there is.
- Monitoring for nausea, vomiting or any heart symptoms.
Side effects
- Nausea and vomiting are common, especially when combined with oxytocin.
- A rise in blood pressure, headache or palpitations can occur.
- Rarely, more serious effects on the heart or circulation, which is why blood pressure is checked.
Key interactions
- Combined with oxytocin in Syntometrine, the two are used together intentionally.
- Certain medicines that affect blood vessels or some antibiotics and antifungals can increase its effects, so the team reviews this.
- It is used cautiously with other medicines that raise blood pressure.
Available as: Injection given by maternity staff, alone or combined with oxytocin (Syntometrine).
Answers
Ergometrine: frequently asked questions
What is ergometrine used for?
It makes the womb contract to control bleeding after birth, often given combined with oxytocin as Syntometrine at the end of labour.
Why is my blood pressure checked when it is used?
Ergometrine narrows blood vessels and can raise blood pressure, so it is avoided in high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia and blood pressure is monitored.
What is Syntometrine?
Syntometrine is a combined injection of ergometrine and oxytocin, giving both a fast (oxytocin) and a longer-lasting (ergometrine) womb contraction.
Will it make me feel sick?
Nausea and vomiting are common with ergometrine, particularly in the combined injection. The team can help manage this.
Is it given to everyone after birth?
Medicines to reduce bleeding are routine, but ergometrine is used selectively; oxytocin alone is preferred for women with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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