Flunarizine
Description
Flunarizine is a medicine used to prevent migraine headaches. Migraine is a medical condition characterised by intense throbbing pain or a pulsating feeling on one side of the head. This medicine helps to reduce the severity of the headache and frequency of migraine attacks. It is also used to prevent and treat vertigo (spinning feeling) in some people. Flunarizine works by dilating the blood vessels in your brain.
Flunarizine has some common side effects like increased body weight, slow heart rate, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, stomach discomfort, etc. These side effects are not general and vary from person to person. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist for a long time. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking Flunarizine as it may cause dizziness. Do not use Flunarizine in children below 18 years of age, since the safety and efficacy of use are not been studied.
Flunarizine is available in 2 dosage forms- tablet and capsule. Take this medicine with or without food. The dose and duration of Flunarizine will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. It is important to take this medicine on time and not to miss any dose. You must finish the entire course of this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are diabetic. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Flunarizine
- Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Depression
- Excessive/No sleep
- Twitching and unusual movement of muscles
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Weight gain
- Increased appetite
- Blocked or runny nose
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Excessive sweating
- Allergic Skin Reaction
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Change in mood
Uses of Flunarizine
What is it prescribed for?
- Prevention of migraine attacks
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effects of Flunarizine starts within 2-4 hours after taking it.
- Duration of effectThe time duration for which Flunarizine remains effective is subject to vary based on the intended use of administration.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid or limit consumption of alcohol while using Flunarizine as it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty in concentrating, breathing difficulties, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Flunarizine.
- Usage in pregnancy?It is not known whether Flunarizine is safe to use in pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Flunarizine is safe to use in breastfeeding as there is no sufficient information available. Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Allergy
Do not use Flunarizine if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is a history of flunarizine allergy. Contact your doctor and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Depression
Depression is an alteration in a person's mood. Flunarizine is not recommended for use if you have depression or any other disorders of the nervous system as it may worsen your condition.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that affects your nervous system. Flunarizine is not recommended to use if you have Parkinson's disease as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
It is not known whether Flunarizine is safe to use in pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Flunarizine is safe to use in breastfeeding as there is no sufficient information available. Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
General warnings
Depression
Flunarizine may cause lack of interest, alteration in mood, sleep disturbances in some people. It should be used with caution if you have an active/past instance of depression.
Dizziness
Flunarizine may cause dizziness, confusion, or disorientation and hence do not perform any activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine.
Liver disease
Flunarizine should be used with caution if you have liver problems or impaired liver function as it may worsen your condition. Inform your doctor if you have liver problems before taking this medicine.
Glaucoma
Flunarizine should be used with caution if you have glaucoma (excessive fluid pressure in your eye). Report any instance of disturbance in vision, pain or dryness of eyes to the doctor immediately.
Heart disease
Flunarizine should be used with caution if you have heart problems as it may lead to heart failure. Inform your doctor if you have heart problems before taking this medicine.
Use in children
Flunarizine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are unavailable.
Elderly
Flunarizine should be used with caution in elderly people. The risk of severe side effects is significantly high and hence treatment should begin with the lowest possible dose.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Flunarizine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is delayed for more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Flunarizine. An overdose may cause severe drowsiness, weakness, agitation, confusion, fast heartbeat. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose, seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor immediately.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid or limit consumption of alcohol while using Flunarizine as it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty in concentrating, breathing difficulties, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Amlodipine
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Disease interactions
Gastrointestinal blockage
Use Flunarizine with extreme caution if you have any gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), since it may worsen your condition.
Urinary tract obstruction
Flunarizine is not recommended for use if you have a partial/total obstruction of the urinary tract. It may cause kidney failure. Inform your doctor if you have such a condition before taking this medicine.
Porphyria
Avoid taking Flunarizine if you have a genetic disorder of the blood and skin (Porphyria). The risk of severe side effects is significantly high and hence your doctor may suggest a suitable alternative.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Flunarizine as instructed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food preferably at bedtime. Do not take more or fewer doses than prescribed.
Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor since an abrupt withdrawal of therapy may cause severe side effects.
Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects after using Flunarizine.
Keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Flunarizine is a calcium channel blocker that improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels in your brain, thus it prevents migraine headaches.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antiemetic/antivertigo agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Flunarizine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 16 May 2017]. Available from:
Flunarizine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Nice.org.uk. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 20 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
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