Bellergal information

Bellergal
Combination of
Atropa belladonna	Anticholinergic
Ergotamine	Vasoconstrictor
Phenobarbital	Barbiturate
Identifiers
CAS Number	57657-51-9;
PubChem CID	56841786;

Bellergal is a combination of levorotatory alkaloids of belladonna, ergotamine tartrate, and phenobarbital,^[1]^[2] used for the treatment of functional menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweat.

Belladonna, including atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine, are antimuscarinic agents. They block acetylcholine from binding to its receptors. It generally reduces the secretion of the body,including mouth, nose, and skin, causes drowsiness and other anticholinergic effects. Phenobarbital provides sedative and anesthetic effects through depressing the central nervous system. 24 Ergotamine constricts blood vessels in the brain and alleviates headache through stimulating alpha-1, dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Common side effects of bellergal include drowsiness, flushing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased sweating, visual disturbances, unusual fatigue or weakness and dry mouth.^[3]^[4] Bellergal has a high potential for potentially serious drug interactions due to strong CYP3A4 inhibition by ergotamine. Ergotamine is a vasoconstrictive CYP3A4 substrate.

Bellergal was widely used during the 1970s and 1980s.^[5] Its limited efficacy on decreasing hot flashes frequency and severity were demonstrated by several randomized controlled trials. On 6 June 2018, Bellergal was discontinued by Paladin Labs due to its raw material availability and limited efficacy. There are no bellergal tablets available in the markets now.

^ "Bellergal-S". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
^ Loprinzi CL, Stearns V, Barton D (December 2005). "Centrally active nonhormonal hot flash therapies". The American Journal of Medicine. 118 (Suppl 12B): 118–123. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.045. PMID 16414336.
^ "Bellergal Spacetabs - Uses, Side Effects, Interactions". MedBroadcast.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
^ "Common and Rare Side Effects for Bellergal-S oral". www.webmd.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
^ Rousseau ME (January 2006). "73 - Managing Menopausal Symptoms". In Conn PM (ed.). Handbook of Models for Human Aging. Burlington: Academic Press. pp. 873–879. doi:10.1016/b978-012369391-4/50074-6. ISBN 978-0-12-369391-4.

[1] "Bellergal-S". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2023-04-10.

[2] Loprinzi CL, Stearns V, Barton D (December 2005). "Centrally active nonhormonal hot flash therapies". The American Journal of Medicine. 118 (Suppl 12B): 118–123. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.09.045. PMID 16414336.

[3] "Bellergal Spacetabs - Uses, Side Effects, Interactions". MedBroadcast.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2023-04-10.

[4] "Common and Rare Side Effects for Bellergal-S oral". www.webmd.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2023-04-10.

[5] Rousseau ME (January 2006). "73 - Managing Menopausal Symptoms". In Conn PM (ed.). Handbook of Models for Human Aging. Burlington: Academic Press. pp. 873–879. doi:10.1016/b978-012369391-4/50074-6. ISBN 978-0-12-369391-4.