Flunarizine
About
Flunarizine belongs to the class of medication called calcium channel blockers which contains Flunarizine, used to treat migraine, dizziness, and vertigo (unable to stand properly). Migraine is a central nervous system or neurological condition, which can cause multiple symptoms. Generally, severe headache is a characteristic symptom of migraine.
Flunarizine contains Flunarizine, prescribed for the improvement of blood flow and in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases. Flunarizine improves blood flow and dilates blood vessels in the brain thereby preventing dilation of blood vessels, loss of tune and headaches caused due to migraine.
Take Flunarizine as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend you how often you take Flunarizine based on your medical condition. Do not abruptly stop taking Flunarizine or skip any doses. It is advised to finish the full course of treatment. The doctor will advise you if dose adjustment is required depending upon your medical condition. In some cases, Flunarizine may cause fatigue, constipation, nausea, runny nose, and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Most of these side effects of Flunarizine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time.
Do not take Flunarizine for an acute attack of migraine as it does not prevents it. Flunarizine may cause weight gain in some cases, so avoid eating junk and eat a healthy, balanced diet, including home-cooked food. If you plan to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Flunarizine. Flunarizine is also known to cause mood changes. Therefore, try to spend quality time with your family and regularly monitor your behavior.
Uses of Flunarizine
Medicinal Benefits
Flunarizine is effective in reducing the attack of migraine. Still, it is specifically useful in migraine with disabling and severe neurological symptoms (like in case of migraine with aura or one-sided weakness) accompanied by dizziness or vertigo.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Flunarizine
- Low mood
- Weight gain
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Drowsiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Flunarizine if you are hypersensitive to flunarizine or any of its ingredients, If you have or ever had depression, Parkinson's disease, liver damage, or kidney disease, inform your doctor before starting Flunarizine. Also, take a meal at the same time of day, preferably during the night. Flunarizine is known to cause weight gain, so avoid chocolates, junk food, cheese, processed food, alcohol, smoking, and instead eat a healthy diet and do regular exercise. Avoid loud music, extreme temperatures, bright lights, noisy places as it can increase headache. Flunarizine interacts with sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, anti-seizure, or medicines to control fits. So, if you are using these medicines, let your doctor know about them.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with medicines used to treat anxiety (alprazolam, lorazepam), anti-seizure medicines (clobazam, clonazepam, diazepam), sedatives (midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam), muscle relaxants (metaxalone, tizanidine, baclofen).
Drug-food Interaction: Alcohol is known to interact with Flunarizine. Also, if using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Flunarizine is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a liver or kidney disease, depression, Parkinson's disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol may increase the risk of tiredness and drowsiness with Flunarizine. If you do feel tired or drowsy whilst taking Flunarizine, avoid alcoholic drinks.
Pregnancy
unsafeFlunarizine is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking Flunarizine.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFlunarizine is not recommended during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking Flunarizine.
Driving
unsafeTaking Flunarizine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, or any visual disturbances; you must not drive or use machinery.
Liver
cautionFlunarizine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionFlunarizine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedGenerally, Flunarizine is not recommended for children below 12 years with or without a doctor's consent. In case it has to be given, then the dose has to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist only.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid chocolates, junk food, cheese, processed food, alcohol, smoking, and instead eat a healthy diet and do regular exercise to avoid weight gain caused due to Flunarizine.
- Avoid loud music, extreme temperatures, bright lights, noisy places as it can increase headache.
- Find humor in your daily life. Try to watch a comedy show to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve headaches.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- You can include antioxidants in your daily diet like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.
Special Advise
Do not use this Flunarizine if your suffering current depressive illness or with a history of recurrent depression, let your doctor know about it.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Migraine: It is a neurological condition with multiple symptoms. Headache is one of the most important characteristic symptoms of migraine followed by nausea, difficulty in speaking, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light (photosensitivity). Migraine can occur at any age; it can begin in childhood or adulthood. Women are at a greater risk to have migraines than men.
FAQs
Yes, Flunarizine is known to cause weight gain. So, do regular exercise and try to eat home-cooked food to avoid excessive weight gain.
If you have taken a double dose or overdose of Flunarizine, you need immediate medical help either by calling a doctor or going to the nearest hospital or clinic.
People who have migraines should take Flunarizine. But Flunarizine does not cure an acute attack of migraine; it is used for its prevention as on as you take Flunarizine.
No, you should not stop taking Flunarizine without consulting your doctor. Please take advice from the doctor before quitting.
No, do not take Flunarizine until prescribed by your doctor. It is only taken for headache due to migraine that to when prescribed by a doctor.
