Ergot 147defects in humans. Pregnant women who took drugs in unsuccessful suicide
attempts were the subjects of a study that tentatively concluded that ergota-
mine did not cause congenital malformations, but the researchers felt they
needed more data to be sure. Other investigators have noted reports of er-
gotamine birth defects consistent with reduced blood flow (a known action of
ergot preparations), but those reports have not been scientifically confirmed.
Clinical observations have noted that when nursing mothers use ergotamine
in the first week after birth, their infants show normal milk consumption and
normal weight gain during that week. Ergot passes into human milk, however,
and instances have been noted of infants poisoned from ergot in the milk.
Bromocriptine and cabergoline, drugs related to ergot, have been used in
circumstances when milk production needs to be suppressed in women who
have recently given birth. Cabergoline has been used experimentally to treat
pituitary cancer and Parkinson’s disease, and in certain circumstances the
drug should increase female fertility, but scientists are unsure about its po-
tential for causing birth defects. Cabergoline experiments with rabbits and
mice did not produce malformations. A study of pregnant women who used
cabergoline found several instances of birth defects, but no more than would
be expected if the drug had not been used. Congenital malformations among
offspring were noted in another set of pregnant women who used the drug,
but researchers reported no conclusion on the drug’s role.
Additional scientific information may be found in:
Hofmann, A. “Historical View on Ergot Alkaloids.”Pharmacology16 (1978, Suppl. 1):
1–11.
Merhoff, G.C., and J.M. Porter. “Ergot Intoxication: Historical Review and Description
of Unusual Clinical Manifestations.”Annals of Surgery180 (1974): 773–79.
Moir, J.C. “Ergot: From ‘St. Anthony’s Fire’ to the Isolation of Its Active Principle,
Ergometrine (Ergonovine).”American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 120
(1974): 291–96.
Van Dongen, P., and A. De Groot. “History of Ergot Alkaloids from Ergotism to Er-
gometrine.”European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
60 (1995): 109–16.
Woolf, A. “Witchcraft or Mycotoxin? The Salem Witch Trials.”Journal of Toxicology.
Clinical Toxicology38 (2000): 457–60.