Flunarizine — what it does and when people use it
Flunarizine is a medicine often used to prevent migraine attacks and to reduce vertigo from balance problems. It works by blocking certain calcium channels in the brain and has mild antihistamine effects. People take it to cut down how often migraines happen or to calm ongoing dizziness tied to vestibular disorders.
How it’s usually taken and typical doses
Doctors normally start flunarizine at a low dose—commonly 5 mg once daily at bedtime. If needed, they may raise it to 10 mg a day. Taking it at night helps because the drug can make you sleepy. Treatment often runs for weeks to months; benefits for migraine prevention may take 4–8 weeks to show. Don’t stop suddenly without checking with your clinician—dose changes should be supervised.
Side effects and what to watch for
The most common side effects are drowsiness and weight gain. Other issues to watch for are low mood or depression and movement problems like stiffness, slow movements, or tremor. Older adults are more likely to develop these movement side effects, so many doctors avoid flunarizine in people with Parkinson’s disease or a history of movement disorders.
If you notice new or worsening depression, unusual muscle stiffness, shaking, slower walking, or sudden mood changes, contact your prescriber. Those symptoms can appear gradually, so tracking your mood and movement over weeks matters.
Practical safety tips: take flunarizine at night, avoid alcohol and other sedating drugs while you’re starting it, step up slowly with activities like driving until you know how sleepy it makes you, and weigh yourself occasionally while on treatment.
Who shouldn’t use flunarizine? If you have existing depression, Parkinson’s disease, or severe liver problems, tell your doctor—flunarizine is usually avoided. It’s also not recommended during pregnancy unless a specialist advises otherwise. If you’re breastfeeding, discuss risks and benefits with your clinician.
Drug interactions to keep in mind: combining flunarizine with other medicines that cause drowsiness (benzodiazepines, some antihistamines, strong pain meds) increases sedation. Drugs that raise the risk of movement disorders—certain antipsychotics, for example—should be used cautiously together.
Want to know if flunarizine is right for you? Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your migraine pattern, other health conditions, and current medicines. If you try flunarizine, give it time (several weeks) to work, and keep an eye on mood and movement changes. If side effects are bothersome, there are other migraine prevention options your provider can discuss.
This page is for quick, practical information—not medical advice. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medication.
As a blogger, I recently came across some interesting information about Flunarizine and its connection to blood pressure. Flunarizine is a calcium channel blocker primarily used to prevent migraines and treat vertigo. It works by regulating the flow of calcium in and out of cells, which in turn helps to control blood pressure. While it's not specifically prescribed for blood pressure issues, it's essential to know how it might impact our cardiovascular health. So if you're taking Flunarizine or considering it, it's always a good idea to discuss its potential effects on blood pressure with your healthcare professional.
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