Ergot

Ergot is a fungus that grows on rye and other grasses like wheat. Originally, it was used to speed labor, but it was then realized that it was causing stillbirths. It used to be common to get ergotism from eating rye bread, but that is no longer a problem we face.

From 1000 BCE – 392 BCE, it was said that week-long celebrations involved drinking something that caused hallucinations and it had ergot derivatives in it. In 1039, the first outbreak of ergotism occurred in France, and once rye was introduced to Europe, ergotism breakouts were more common. In the middle ages, females used ergot during labor in order to quicken labor and reduce postpartum bleeding. 1807 is when ergot was first introduced in the US, and scientific research was beginning to be conducted. In the late 19th century, ergot derivatives were used to treat migraines. In 1938, a chemist in Switzerland discovered the compound LSD-25, and additionally found that LSD is a derivative of ergot.

Elana Chuaprasert

Student Pharmacist Fall 2022

Indications: migraine and vascular headaches, acromegaly, parkinson’s, uterine atonia

Drug Action

Neurological: serotonin and dopamine agonist

Cardiovascular: alpha-adrenergic agonist, serotonin agonist

Musculoskeletal: Cause uterine smooth muscle contraction