A migraine prevention medicine
Flunarizine
A medicine taken regularly to help prevent migraine and for some forms of vertigo.
What is Flunarizine?
Flunarizine is a calcium-channel blocker used to help prevent migraine attacks and to treat some types of dizziness (vertigo). It is taken regularly, not to stop an attack once it has begun, and may take several weeks to show benefit. It can cause weight gain, drowsiness and low mood, and with long-term use it can occasionally bring on parkinson-like movements such as slowness, stiffness or tremor, so it is used with care and reviewed regularly. It is not usually a first-choice option in the UK.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Flunarizine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Flunarizine is a calcium-channel blocker used to prevent migraine and to help with certain types of vertigo (a spinning kind of dizziness, often coming from the inner ear). It is taken as a regular daily tablet to reduce how often migraines happen, rather than to treat an attack that has already started. It is not usually a first-choice preventer in the UK and tends to be used when other options are unsuitable, with regular review because of its longer-term effects.
How it works
Flunarizine blocks the movement of calcium into certain cells, which is thought to help stabilise overactive nerve and blood-vessel responses involved in migraine and in some inner-ear balance problems. Taken regularly, this can reduce how often and how severely migraines occur and can ease some types of vertigo. It also affects brain chemicals such as dopamine, which helps explain side effects like drowsiness, low mood, weight gain and, with long use, parkinson-like movements. It works as a preventer, so benefit builds up over weeks.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (originator Janssen).
A calcium-channel blocker used to prevent migraine and for some types of vertigo; not first-line and used with care over the long term.
What it treats
Conditions Flunarizine is used for
Practical use
How to take Flunarizine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it once a day as a preventer, often in the evening, exactly as prescribed.
- Keep taking it regularly and give it several weeks to work, as it does not stop an attack already underway.
- Be careful driving or operating machinery if it makes you drowsy, especially at first, and limit alcohol.
- Tell your prescriber if you have had depression or a movement disorder, and report new low mood, slowness, stiffness or tremor.
- Expect regular reviews, as it is often used for a limited period rather than indefinitely.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Flunarizine
Advantages
- Can reduce how often and how severely migraines occur when taken regularly.
- Also helps some types of vertigo.
- Taken as a simple once-daily tablet.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes weight gain, increased appetite and drowsiness.
- Can cause low mood and, with long-term use, parkinson-like movements such as slowness or tremor.
- Works only as a preventer, taking weeks to help, and is reviewed regularly because of its longer-term effects.
Practical use
Good to know
Flunarizine is a preventer, so it is taken every day to make migraines less frequent and is not used to stop an attack in progress; give it several weeks before judging whether it is helping. The most important cautions are its longer-term effects: weight gain and increased appetite are common, it can cause drowsiness and low mood, and with prolonged use it can occasionally bring on parkinson-like movements such as slowness, stiffness, tremor or restlessness, particularly in older people. Because of this it is reviewed regularly and often used for a limited period rather than indefinitely. Tell your prescriber if you have, or have had, depression or a movement disorder such as Parkinson's, and report any new low mood, slowness or tremor. Drowsiness can affect driving, especially at first, and alcohol can add to it.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with current or past depression should generally avoid it, as it can worsen mood.
- It should not be used in people with Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders.
- Used with particular caution in older people, who are more prone to its movement and mood effects.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether migraines have become less frequent, usually after several weeks.
- Watching for weight gain, low mood and any slowness, stiffness or tremor.
- Regularly reviewing whether continued treatment is still appropriate, as it is often time-limited.
Side effects
- Drowsiness, weight gain and increased appetite are common.
- Low mood, tiredness and, in some people, dry mouth or muscle aches.
- With long-term use, parkinson-like movements such as slowness, stiffness, tremor or restlessness, especially in older people.
Key interactions
- Alcohol and other sedating medicines add to drowsiness.
- Medicines that affect mood or movement may add to its effects on mood and parkinson-like symptoms.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as combinations can increase side effects.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Flunarizine: frequently asked questions
Can I take flunarizine when a migraine starts?
No. It is a preventer taken every day to make migraines less frequent, not a medicine to stop an attack already in progress.
How long before it works?
As a preventer it usually takes several weeks of regular use before you can judge whether it is helping.
Why might it cause shaking or stiffness?
It affects the brain chemical dopamine, so with long-term use it can occasionally cause parkinson-like movements such as slowness, stiffness or tremor; report these to your prescriber.
Will it make me put on weight?
Weight gain and increased appetite are common with flunarizine, so it is worth keeping an eye on and discussing at reviews.
Can I take it if I have depression?
It can worsen low mood and is generally avoided if you have or have had depression, so tell your prescriber about your mental health history.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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