Parkinson-like side effects during prolonged treatment with flunarizine.
Forty-two elderly patients affected by a generic cerebrovascular disease developed a parkinsonian syndrome after prolonged treatment with flunarizine. Following flunarizine withdrawal the extrapyramidal symptomatology remitted slowly and progressively for 12 weeks, leading to the belief that the observed parkinsonian syndrome is directly linked to the chronic use of this compound. Similar side effects are not described in young populations, however. A periodic flunarizine discontinuation in chronically treated subjects aged 65 or more is suggested.
Di Rosa
A E
AE
Institute of Neurological, University of Messina, Italy.
Morgante
L
L
Meduri
M
M
Musolino
R
R
Leggiadro
N
N
Coraci
M
M
Crisafulli
A
A
Di Perri
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors
D005444:Flunarizine