Flunarizine

Flunarizine is a drug classified as a calcium channel blocker. Flunarizine is a non-selective calcium entry blocker with other actions including histamine H₁ receptor blocking activity. It is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine, occlusive peripheral vascular disease, vertigo of central and peripheral origin, and as an adjuvant in the therapy of epilepsy. It may help to reduce the severity and duration of attacks of paralysis associated with the more serious form of alternating hemiplegia, as well as being effective in rapid onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP). Both these conditions share a mutation in the ATP13A gene; flunarizine is not available by prescription in the U.S. or Japan. Flunarizine has been shown to significantly reduce headache frequency and severity in both adults and children. Flunarizine was discovered at Janssen Pharmaceutica in 1968.