Side effects
Flunarizine may cause various side effects in addition to the desired effects. For example, it can cause various psychiatric side effects, such as depressive moods, drowsiness and fatigue. Movement disorders can also occur, such as trembling, increased basic tension in the muscles, involuntary or slowed movements and lack of movement.
In addition, weight gain was frequently observed during therapy with flunarizine, as well as heartburn, nausea, stomach pain and dry mouth. Occasionally patients reported anxiety, headaches and a general feeling of weakness. Very rarely muscle pain and redness of the skin appeared.
Women who took a hormonal contraceptive at the same time as flunarizine more often developed milk secretion from the breast (galactorrhea). If such or other side effects occur, the doctor treating the patient should be consulted so that he or she can decide on further action. In many cases, a reduction in the dose is sufficient to limit the side effects.
If this is not successful, flunarizine must be discontinued. Flunarizine can cause weight gain as a side effect. This can be accompanied by both increased and reduced appetite. This is due to the way the drug works, as it can also influence metabolism by blocking calcium channels and thus influence body weight.
Dosage
Flunarizine is available in capsules with an active ingredient quantity of 5mg. To treat vestibular dizziness, two hard capsules of Flunarizine 5mg are usually taken in the evening.Patients older than 65 years of age take only one capsule of flunarizine 5mg in the evening. If the symptoms improve, the dose should be reduced over the course of time so that the preparation is taken only every second day or five days in a row with a subsequent two-day break.
For prophylactic treatment of migraine attacks the same dosage applies. Flunarizine is also taken in the evening with sufficient fluid. The drug should not be taken in the mentioned dose for longer than necessary to relieve symptoms (usually not longer than two months).
If there is no improvement in symptoms after one month of therapy with flunarizine, the therapy should be discontinued due to lack of effectiveness. The same applies if the success of the therapy diminishes or if serious side effects occur. Even if the therapy is successful, it should only be carried out for a maximum of six months and then terminated. If symptoms reoccur after this period, flunarizine can be administered again. The recommended daily doses of Flunarizine should never be exceeded.