Flunarizine: Uses, Benefits, and What to Watch For

When working with Flunarizine, a lipophilic calcium channel blocker used for migraine prevention and vestibular disorders. Also known as flunarizine dihydrochloride, it helps stabilize neuronal membranes and improves cerebral blood flow.

One of the main ways Flunarizine helps patients is through Migraine prophylaxis, preventive treatment that lowers the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. By limiting calcium entry into nerve cells, the drug reduces the hyper‑excitability that often triggers a migraine. This connection—Flunarizine enables migraine prophylaxis—forms a core part of many headache‑management plans.

Flunarizine belongs to the broader class of Calcium channel blockers, medications that block voltage‑dependent calcium channels in smooth muscle and nerves. This class also includes drugs like amlodipine and verapamil, which are used for hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias. The shared mechanism—blocking calcium influx—means that insights from one drug often apply to another, and it explains why flunarizine can affect blood pressure and heart rate in some users.

Beyond migraines, flunarizine shows real value for Vestibular disorders, conditions that cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. The medication dampens abnormal signaling from the inner ear, helping patients feel steadier. In practice, clinicians often prescribe flunarizine when standard vestibular rehab isn’t enough, because the drug’s calcium‑blocking action can quiet the erratic nerve firing that fuels vertigo.

Dosage, Safety, and Common Side Effects

Typical adult dosing starts at 5 mg once daily, often taken at night to reduce daytime drowsiness. Some doctors increase to 10 mg after a few weeks if the response is modest. It’s important to keep the dose low enough to avoid side effects such as weight gain, depression, or excessive sleepiness—issues that stem from the drug’s influence on brain chemistry.

Because flunarizine can cross the blood‑brain barrier, patients with a history of depression should be monitored closely. Sudden mood changes or low mood may signal the need for dose adjustment or a switch to another preventive option. Likewise, because the drug can affect lipid metabolism, routine cholesterol checks are advisable during long‑term therapy.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid flunarizine unless a doctor deems it essential, as animal studies suggest potential risks. The drug is also contraindicated in patients with severe liver impairment, as the liver clears most of the medication.

When stopping flunarizine, a gradual taper is recommended rather than an abrupt halt. A slow reduction helps prevent rebound headaches and gives the body time to readjust its calcium handling.

Overall, flunarizine offers a solid option for those battling chronic migraines or troublesome vertigo, especially when other treatments fall short. Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into dosage strategies, side‑effect management, comparative reviews with other calcium channel blockers, and real‑world patient experiences. Explore the resources to see how flunarizine can fit into your health plan and what practical steps you can take right now.