Oxytocic (uterine stimulant / ergot alkaloid)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Ergometrine maleate is a medicine that causes the muscles of the womb (uterus) to contract strongly. It works by tightening the blood vessels and womb muscles to help stop heavy bleeding after childbirth or miscarriage.
Activates α-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors on uterine smooth muscle, inducing sustained tetanic contractions that compress uterine blood vessels and arrest postpartum haemorrhage.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
This is not a medicine you take at home by yourself. It is given as an injection by a doctor, nurse, or midwife — usually 0.2 mg to 0.5 mg injected into a muscle or slowly into a vein during or after delivery. It may be repeated after 2 to 4 hours if the bleeding continues, but only under medical supervision.
Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting, missed doses are not really applicable. Your doctor or midwife will decide when and how often to give it.
This injection should only be given by trained health workers in a hospital, clinic, or maternity centre — never buy it to use at home without medical supervision. Beware of counterfeit products; only get medicines from licensed pharmacies or hospitals. If you experience sudden severe headache, blurred vision, or chest pain after receiving this injection, alert your nurse or doctor immediately.
Avoid using with other drugs that raise blood pressure, such as certain migraine medicines (like sumatriptan) — the combination can cause dangerously high blood pressure. Anaesthetic drugs used during surgery may interact with ergometrine, so always tell your doctor what medicines you have been given. Dopamine and other medicines used in emergencies may also interact.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ergometrine with your other drugs?
This medicine must NOT be used during pregnancy before delivery as it can cause dangerous contractions and harm the baby — it is only used after the baby is born or after a miscarriage, and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor as small amounts may pass into breast milk.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be very hot, so refrigeration (2°C to 8°C) is recommended. Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if the solution looks discoloured or cloudy.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Dispensing Ergometrine maleate?
Clinical tools built for Nigerian pharmacists — launching soon.