Flunarizine: a review of its role in migraine prophylaxis

Abstract

Flunarizine, a potent calcium channel blocker has been used for more than three decades for the prophylactic management of migraine. Theories suggest that flunarizine may act through multiple mechanisms such as inhibition of cortical spreading depression, neurogenic inflammation and channelopathy. Flunarizine is efficacious in the management of various types of migraines such as common, classical, vestibular, abdominal, hemiplegic and pediatric migraine. It has a manageable safety profile with weight gain and drowsiness being commonly reported.

Recurrent headache and visual symptoms in a young man: a rare neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease case report

“…Flunarizine hydrochloride is a selective calcium antagonist that blocks excess calcium ion flux through transmembrane proteins into cells, prevents excessive intracellular calcium load of neurons during ischemia and hypoxia, inhibits cerebral vasospasm, and promotes cell membrane stabilization. Numerous controlled clinical studies have established the efficacy of flunarizine, which has long been used in the prophylactic management of migraines [ 19 , 20 ].…”