Dihydroergotamine

/ˌdaɪˌhaɪdroʊˈɜːrɡətəmin/ noun

Definition

A pharmaceutical drug used to treat migraines and cluster headaches by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, made by adding hydrogen atoms to ergotamine.

Etymology

From 'di-' (two) + 'hydro-' (hydrogen) + 'ergotamine' (an ergot alkaloid). Developed in the 20th century as scientists discovered that hydrogenation of ergotamine reduced side effects while maintaining migraine-fighting power.

Kelly Says

Dihydroergotamine is a modern headache cure built on medieval plague history—ergot is a fungus that poisoned bread centuries ago, but modern chemists turned it into one of the most effective migraine fighters!

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