A rare complication of coronary vasospasm associated with concomitant use of ergotamine, cobicistat, and darunavir

Ergotism is a rare cause of peripheral vasoconstriction with varying presentation depending on the affected vessels. Coronary vasospasm is a rare, potentially fatal manifestation of ergotism. Cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme CYP3A metabolizes ergot alkaloids and their derivatives; thus, concomitant use of ergotamine and CYP3A inhibitors significantly increases ergotism risk. The antiretroviral drug darunavir boosted with cobicistat potently inhibits CYP3A. A few deleterious interactions are described in the literature when combining ergotamine with boosted human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors. Herein, we describe a patient who presented to the emergency department with profound coronary vasospasm arising from ergotamine’s interaction with darunavir and cobicistat. Emergency coronary angiography revealed no critical atherosclerotic stenosis, but prolonged coronary artery spasm. After prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intravenous vasodilator treatment, and 14-day extracorporeal membrane oxygenation application, the patient fully recovered and was discharged. Concomitant use of ergot alkaloids and their derivatives could be disastrous for patients treated with cobicistat-boosted darunavir.