Flunarizine

Flunarizine is a medicine used for the prevention of migraine. However, it cannot treat an acute attack and will only work to prevent migraines for as long as you continue to take the medicine. This medicine relaxes the brain, preventing migraine headache.

Migraine headaches are thought to result from the dilatation of blood vessels in the head. Flunarizine works by preventing loss of tone and dilation of blood vessels, thus preventing the migraine headache.

• Migraine Prophylaxis: Used for prevention of classic (with aura) or common (without aura) migraine.
• Vestibular Vertigo: Used for symptomatic treatment of vestibular vertigo due to diagnosed functional disorder.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease: Used for treatment of peripheral vascular disease.
• Refractory Epilepsy: Used as adjunct therapy for epilepsy resistant to conventional antiepileptic therapy.

Other drugs for migraine

Calcium Channel Blocker (Selective)

Flunarizine is the difluorinated derivative of cinnarizine. It is a selective calcium channel antagonist. By reducing excessive transmembrane influx of calcium Flunarizine prevents cellular calcium overload. It does not interfere with normal cellular calcium homeostasis. Flunarizine also has some antihistaminic and sedative properties.

Flunarizine has H1-receptor blocking action and calcium-channel blocking effect. It prevents dilation of blood vessels, thus preventing migraine headache.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• Migraine Prophylaxis: 5-10 mg daily at bedtime; <65 years: 10 mg/day; >65 years: 5 mg/day.
• Vertigo and Motion Sickness: 10-20 mg daily (adults); 5 mg daily (children >40 kg).
• Peripheral Vascular Disease: 10 mg twice daily (up to 30 mg/day if required).
• Epileptic Seizure (Add-on): 15-20 mg daily (adults); 5-10 mg daily (children).

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Flunarizine may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose of Flunarizine, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects: Sleepiness, Weight gain, Muscle pain, Fatigue, Constipation, Nausea, Insomnia, Runny nose, Increased appetite, Depression, Stomach discomfort, Breast pain.

Precautions: It is not known whether Flunarizine alters the ability to drive; do not drive if you experience any symptoms. Not suited for treating an acute migraine attack. Take at night-time before going to bed. May cause sleepiness; don't drive or do anything requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you. Notify doctor if you develop skin rash, muscle aches, tremors, difficulty moving, or abnormal uncontrolled movement. Chronic treatment may give rise to extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms; elderly patients are particularly at risk.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity; History of depressive illness; Pre-existing symptoms of Parkinson's disease or other extrapyramidal disorders; Pregnancy and lactation.

Drug Interactions: Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Valproic acid - Plasma levels reduced (dose increase may be required).

Food Interactions: Flunarizine may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Use in Pregnancy: Information regarding use during pregnancy is not available; consult your doctor.

Use in Lactation: Information regarding use during breastfeeding is not available; consult your doctor.

Pediatric Use: Child dose: Vertigo 5 mg daily (>40 kg); Epilepsy 5-10 mg daily.

Geriatric Use: Elderly dose: 5 mg/day; higher risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Renal Impairment: Probably safe; dose adjustment may not be needed; consult doctor if severe kidney disease.
Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be needed.

Overdose: Limited information on overdose; symptomatic treatment.

Storage: Keep below 30 degree C, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Flunarizine