Flunarizine in the prevention of classical migraine: a placebo-controlled evaluation.
Pharmacological data and early clinical experience have suggested that the calcium entry blocker flunarizine may be a valuable gain in the prophylaxis of migraine. This was supported by a study in 20 patients with classical migraine who were, after a drug free run-in phase, orally treated with either placebo or flunarizine (10 mg at night) for 3 to 4 months. Flunarizine significantly reduced the frequency, duration and severity of the migraine attacks. A corrected migraine index, based on these 3 variables was reduced by 82% in the drug group but increased by 66% in the control patients. Only 1 patient did not clearly benefit from flunarizine. In some cases flunarizine should be administered for at least 4 months before judging its efficacy. No side-effects occurred.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002936:Cinnarizine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005444:Flunarizine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010879:Piperazines; D010919:Placebos; D002936:Cinnarizine; D005444:Flunarizine