Clinical treatment of epilepsy with calcium entry blockers.
In view of the known role of Ca2+ in the paroxysmal depolarisation shifts of epileptic neurons, the possibility arises that certain Ca2+ entry blockers possess antiepileptic activity. The only drug of the class which readily passes blood-brain barrier is flunarizine. This is effective in experimental models of epilepsy and produced significant seizure reduction in two trials in therapy-resistant patients. Efficacy was maintained without development of tolerance. The safety of the drug has already been established in a great number of subjects treated for a long time for other diseases. It has few and mild side effects at therapeutic blood levels.
D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D005444:Flunarizine