Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat migraine 2. To treat vertigo |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Depression 2. Drowsiness or sleepiness 3. Twitching and unusual movement of muscles 4. Weight gain 5. Increased appetite 6. Excessive sweating 7. Dry mouth 8. Change in mood |
| Additional Information | 1. Avoid driving or any hazardous activity after consuming flunarizine, as it can cause dizziness or drowsiness. 2. Its off-label indications include motion sickness, balance disorders, and vascular diseases. |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | To be swallowed with a sip of water |
Flunarizine Uses
Flunarizine 10 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of calcium channel blockers and is used for the following indications:
- Migraine
- Vertigo
Flunarizine side effects
More Common
- Depression
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Twitching and unusual movement of muscles
- Weight gain
- Increased appetite
- Excessive sweating
- Dry mouth
- Change in mood
Less Common
- Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Blocked or runny nose
- Irregular menstruation
How Flunarizine works
Flunarizine works by calming overstimulated brain cells that trigger migraines and vertigo, like quieting a noisy crowd. It blocks calcium from entering these cells, which helps slow down the nerve signals and prevent attacks. Its mild calming effect also adds to the overall sense of relief.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
The safety of flunarizine in pregnancy is not established. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breastfeeding
Flunarizine is not usually recommended during breastfeeding because there is no reliable information on whether it passes into breast milk or how it might affect a nursing infant.
Kidney and Liver Problems
Flunarizine is known to be safe for use in liver and kidney disease patients.
Past Mental Health Issues
Flunarizine directly acts on the brain and causes different side effects like sedation, drowsiness, and suicidal thoughts. Inform the doctor about your past mental health issues before using flunarizine.
Heart Problems
Flunarizine should be used with caution in heart patients, as its calcium channel blocking effect can influence blood vessel tone and, in rare cases, affect heart rhythm or blood pressure.
Flunarizine Interaction with Food Product
Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking simultaneously together, as it may affect the drug’s action and show an effect on the brain, leading to severe drowsiness, sedation, and coma in severe cases.
Flunarizine Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Flunarizine 10 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Flunarizine Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl) methyl] -4-[(2E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-yl] piperazine
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Flunarizine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 30 mg of Flunarizine per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, double vision, low blood pressure, and slurred speech. Immediately seek medical attention and meet the doctor if necessary.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take flunarizine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking flunarizine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take flunarizine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Flunarizine Summary
Flunarizine is a preventive medicine for migraines and vertigo, classified as a calcium channel blocker. Flunarizine reduces migraines and vertigo by calming overstimulated brain cells, like quieting a loud crowd. Common side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, increased appetite, and sometimes low mood. It’s best taken at night due to its sedative effect. Avoid alcohol and grapefruit, as they can worsen drowsiness or interfere with how the drug is processed.
FAQ’s
What are the uses of flunarizine tablets?
Flunarizine tablets are used to prevent and treat migraine, vertigo, and balance disorders. They are also prescribed in some cases for migraine prevention and peripheral circulation problems.
What are the side effects of flunarizine tablets?
Flunarizine tablets commonly cause drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, stomach upset, and nausea; rarely, long‑term use may lead to movement disorders (extrapyramidal symptoms).
What is the flunarizine drug class?
Flunarizine belongs to the drug class of calcium channel blockers and can show vascular effects. belongs to the class of antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism.
What is Flunarizine’s highest dose?
The maximum recommended dose of flunarizine is 30 mg per day, typically divided into two or three doses. This applies to adults being treated for balance disorders or peripheral circulatory issues.
Reference
- ScienceDirect. Flunarizine [Internet]. Amsterdam: Elsevier; [cited 2025 Oct 23]. Available from.
- Drugs.com. Flunarizine (International) [Internet]. [cited 2025 Oct 23]. Available from.
- Practo. Flunarin 10 MG Tablet [Internet]. [cited 2025 Oct 23]. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Flunarizine [Internet]. PubChem Compound Summary. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Oct 23]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.