What is the drug flunarizine used for?
Flunarizine has been used in medical practice for over 25 years. It was initially introduced as a medicine to improve blood flow and is a medicine known as a calcium channel blocker. It has been mainly used in the treatment of dizziness, vertigo and prevention of migraine.
Why is Flunarizine not licensed in the UK?
Flunarizine is a type of drug known as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers are medicines that are most often used to reduce blood pressure or treat certain heart conditions. Flunarizine is not licensed in the UK, and so its use for preventing migraine is ‘unlicensed’.
Is flunarizine a sedative?
It was concluded, on the basis that the fast phases of nystagmus are centrally generated, that Flunarizine has a central action rather than a depressant effect upon the vestibular end organ.
Is flunarizine A antidepressant?
Flunarizine 20 mg/kg exhibited significant antidepressant activity in our previous study using forced swim test (FST) in mice, which was contradictory to the findings of other authors.
Can flunarizine cause anxiety?
It may take 6 to 8 weeks of continued treatment before the maximum effect of this medication is noted. SIDE EFFECTS: Drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, heartburn, dry mouth or anxiety may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor.
Who should not take flunarizine?
Flunarizine should not be taken by people with depression or by people with Parkinson’s disease or movement disorders. Weight gain is a very common side effect with flunarizine, which can affect about 10 in every 100 people taking it.
What is the difference between flunarizine and Cinnarizine?
In these volunteers, 10 mg of flunarizine has a stronger vestibular depressant effect than 15 mg of cinnarizine and the vestibular activity of 10 mg of flunarizine and 45 mg of cinnarizine were roughly similar; nevertheless, if there is any difference between the two latter medications, then 10 mg of flunarizine is …
Does flunarizine cause Parkinson’s?
The authors conclude that (1) flunarizine, even at the recommended dose (10 mg daily), can induce reversible parkinsonism, at least in subjects older than 60; (2) the persistence of a marked symptomatology 2 months after flunarizine withdrawal should lead to starting treatment with antiparkinsonism drugs; (3) the study …
Does flunarizine cause depression?
In contrast, flunarizine, a calcium-channel antagonist used for acute and prophylactic treatment of migraine headaches, has been associated with depression.
How long does it take for flunarizine to work?
It may take 6 to 8 weeks of continued treatment before the maximum effect of this medication is noted.