Which statement about DHE administration is correct?

Which statement about DHE administration is correct?

• A. It is given orally.
• B. It is given intramuscularly.
• C. It is given IV or nasal, sometimes with IV metoclopramide and fluids.
• D. It is inhaled.

Answer: (C)

Dihydroergotamine has very limited and variable oral absorption, so it isn’t given by mouth. The effective routes for acute migraine treatment are intravenous or intranasal, with the nasal form providing rapid relief and IV administration used in clinical settings. To improve tolerability and, in the IV route, absorption, an antiemetic like metoclopramide may be given with fluids. Therefore, IV or nasal administration, sometimes with IV metoclopramide and fluids, is the correct approach. The other routes listed (oral, intramuscular, inhaled) are not standard for DHE in this context.

Dihydroergotamine has very limited and variable oral absorption, so it isn’t given by mouth. The effective routes for acute migraine treatment are intravenous or intranasal, with the nasal form providing rapid relief and IV administration used in clinical settings. To improve tolerability and, in the IV route, absorption, an antiemetic like metoclopramide may be given with fluids. Therefore, IV or nasal administration, sometimes with IV metoclopramide and fluids, is the correct approach. The other routes listed (oral, intramuscular, inhaled) are not standard for DHE in this context.