Norium 5

Generic

Flunarizine

 

Indications

• Flunarizine is used to prevent migraine headaches, whether they are classic (with aura) or common (without aura).
• Treatment for vestibular vertigo symptoms (due to a diagnosed functional disorder of the vestibular system).
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a kind of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
• Suffering from motion sickness
• Conventional antiepileptic treatment is ineffective in treating refractory epilepsy.

 

Pharmacology

The difluorinated derivative of cinnarizine is flunarizine. It is a calcium channel antagonist that is selective. Calcium transmembrane inflow is reduced by decreasing excessive calcium transmembrane influx. Flunarizine inhibits calcium excess in cells. It has no effect on normal calcium homeostasis in cells. Flunarizine also has some antihistaminic and sedative properties. It binds to plasma protein with a 99 percent affinity.

 

Dosage & Administration

Starting Dose for Migraine Prophylaxis: 10 mg at night in individuals under the age of 65, and 5 mg daily in patients over the age of 65. If depressed, extrapyramidal, or other undesirable symptoms arise during therapy, the medication should be stopped. The difluorinated derivative of cinnarizine is flunarizine. It is a calcium channel antagonist that is selective. Calcium transmembrane inflow is reduced by decreasing excessive calcium transmembrane influx. Flunarizine inhibits calcium excess in cells. It has no effect on normal calcium homeostasis in cells. Flunarizine also possesses calming and antihistaminic effects. It binds to plasma protein with a 99 percent affinity.

If a patient is responding well and a maintenance therapy is required, the dose should be reduced to 5 days of treatment at the same daily dose with two consecutive medicine-free days every

week. Even if the preventive maintenance therapy is effective and well tolerated, it should be discontinued after 6 months and only resumed if the patient requires it.

10 mg twice day, up to 30 mg per day if needed for peripheral vascular disease.

Vertigo and motion sickness: 10-20 mg per day for adults, 5 mg per day for children over 40 kg.

As an add-on medication for epileptic seizures, adults should take 15-20 mg daily, and children should take 5 to 10 mg daily.

 

Interaction

Galactorrhoea has been recorded in a small number of women taking oral contraceptives during the first two months of therapy with Flunarizine. Carbamazepine and phenytoin, both hepatic enzyme inducers, may interact with flunarizine by increasing its metabolism. As a result, an increase in flunarizine dose may be necessary.

 

Contraindications

Flunarizine hypersensitivity. Flunarizine is not recommended for those who have had a depressive episode in the past, or who have signs of Parkinson's disease or other extrapyramidal diseases.

 

Side Effect

Drowsiness and/or fatigue, as well as weight gain and/or increased appetite may occur. The following adverse experiences have been reported during chronic treatment with Flunarizine: depression, of which female patients with a history of depressive illness may be particularly at risk; extrapyramidal symptoms (such as bradykinesia, rigidity, akathisia, orofacial dyskinesia, tremor), of which elderly patients seem particularly at risk. Infrequently reported adverse reaction are: heartburn; nausea; gastralgia; insomnia; anxiety; galactorrhoea; dry mouth; muscle ache; skin rash.

 

Pregnancy & Lactation

Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

 

Precautions & Warnings

Flunarizine may cause sleepiness, which is exacerbated if alcohol or other central nervous system depressants are used at the same time. Patients should be warned about driving or undertaking other potentially dangerous occupations when a loss of mental awareness might result in an accident. Flunarizine isn't recommended for stopping a migraine. The possibility of an attack is consequently no cause to raise Flunarizine dosage. This therapy may cause extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms, as well as disclose Parkinsonism, particularly in individuals who are susceptible to it, such as the elderly. In such individuals, flunarizine should be administered with care.

 

Therapeutic Class

Miscellaneous prophylactic migraine preparations

 

Storage Conditions

Keep below 30°C temperature in a dry place. Protected from light. Do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children.

 

Pharmaceutical Name

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd.