Flunarizine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions, Price & More

What is Flunarizine?

Flunarizine belongs to a group of drugs called as “calcium channel blocker” and is primarily used in the prevention of migraine.

Flunarizine is available in two forms:

• 5mg Tablet
• 10mg Tablet

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Uses of Flunarizine

• Flunarizine can be used in the prevention, control and treatment of following diseases:
• Prevention of migraine attacks
• Reduction of frequency and intensity of migraine attacks
• Prevention and treatment of vertigo
• Refractory epilepsy resistant to conventional anti-epileptic therapy
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Motion sickness
• Flunarizine can also be used for purposes not mentioned above.
  

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How does Flunarizine work?

• Flunarizine is a selective calcium channel antagonist which blocks the entry of calcium through calcium channels and prevents cellular calcium overload.
• Flunarizine also had additional anti-histaminic (anti-allergic) property.
  

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Flunarizine Price in India

How to Take Flunarizine?

• The dosage and duration of Flunarizine is based on your age, physical condition, and response to therapy and as advised by the doctor.
• Flunarizine is well absorbed orally and may be taken with or without food or as advised. For patients with gastric problems, it is better to take it after food.
• For ideal results, it should always be taken at a fixed time preferably bed time.
• The tablet should be swallowed as a whole without crushing, chewing or breaking it along with plenty of fluids.
• The medicine should not be stopped on your own without doctor’s advice or before the stipulated course of the therapy is completed.
• If it is taken as over the counter product, check the label for directions before use.
  

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Common Dosage for Flunarizine

• Dosage is usually determined by your physician based on your condition.
• The recommended therapeutic dosage for Flunarizine in adults is 10mg once daily at night.
• For patients above 65years of age and children, 5 mg once daily dose of Flunarizine is recommended.
• If the patient responds well to the above mentioned treatment, then in maintenance phase, similar dose can be administered for 5 days in a week with 2 successive medicine free days every week.
• Maintenance phase therapy can be continued for up to 6 months if well tolerated.
• In case if your condition persists or worsens, discontinue the drug and inform your doctor.

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Precautions- When to Avoid Flunarizine

Flunarizine should be avoided or used with caution in:

• Patients with allergy to any of its components
• Patients suffering from depression
• Parkinson’s disease or other extra pyramidal disorders
• Patients with liver disease

Other medicine's Precautions: Flexon MR Precautions | Flexura D Precautions

Side-effects of Flunarizine

• In addition to its intended uses, it may cause few undesirable side effects as well. List of the most commonly observed side effects include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sedation
• Menstrual irregularities
• Muscle ache
• Skin rash
• In addition it may cause some other allergic or unwanted effects. In such cases, seek medical attention immediately.

Effect on organs

• Flunarizine may affect central nervous system and can produce a variety of effects including depression, anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, sedation etc.
• Patients with severe liver disease should use Flunarizine with caution and under supervision of a doctor.

Reported Allergic Reactions

• Report to your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Signs of allergic reaction include:
• Rashes/itching of skin
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Loss of consciousness

Drug Interactions to Be Careful About

• Drug interactions refer to effect of drugs on each other and on human body after ingestion. Large numbers of medicines have shown to interact with each other.
• It is always advised that the patient must inform the physician about all the drugs/over the counter products/vitamin supplements used before using Flunarizine.
• All the possible drug interactions might not be listed here. Few important drug interactions are listed below:
• Alcohol
• Phenytoin
• Carbamazepine
• Diazepam
• Amiodarone
• Oral contraceptives
• Using all these medicines along with Flunarizine can influence the therapeutic effect of these medicines and also can increase the chances of side effects.
• Thus dose alteration or drug replacement might be needed when flunarizine is taken along with these drugs.

Shows Effects / Results In:

• A complete dose prescribed by your doctor must be taken for complete cessation of symptoms from your body.
• Changes in the body are observed over a period of 2-3 weeks after administration of Flunarizine as the effects of this medicine are cumulative.

Other medicine's Side Effect: EVION LC Side Effect | EVION 400 Side Effect

Storage of Flunarizine

• Store at cool and dry place away from direct heat and moisture.
• Do not freeze the medicine.
• Keep medicines away from children and pets.

Pro Tips When Taking Flunarizine

• Flunarizine is not indicated for use in acute migraine attack. It is used for prophylaxis measure to reduce the severity and incidence of migraine attacks

In a small proportion of patients, depression is commonly seen as a side effect especially in younger patients. Seek medical care immediately in such instances.

Also read about other medicine: Etoshine 90

FAQ

Is Flunarizine addictive?

• No habit forming tendency has been reported.

Can I have Flunarizine with alcohol?

• Consumption of alcohol is not recommended when on Flunarizine therapy as it may increase the risk of adverse effects like dizziness and sedation.

Any particular food item to be avoided?

• No alteration in its action seen with any food product.

Can I have Flunarizine when pregnant?

• Flunarizine is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
• Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant for case specific recommendations.

Can I have Flunarizine when feeding a baby?

• Flunarizine is not recommended for use while you are breast feeding.
• Consult your doctor for case specific recommendations.

Can I drive after taking Flunarizine?

• Flunarizine intake is associated with a majority of CNS side effects like dizziness, sedation, decreased alertness.
• Therefore it may not be advisable to drive a vehicle and operate heavy machinery while on this medication.

What happens if I overdose on Flunarizine?

• Flunarizine should never be administered in more than prescribed dose.
• Taking more medication or with increased frequency may cause serious side-effects like sedation, increased heart beat and agitation.
• If anyone is suspected of an over-dosage, seek medical care immediately.

What happens if I take expired Flunarizine?

• A single dose of expired Flunarizine may not cause any major adverse effect. However, the potency of the medicine may well have decreased overtime.
• Please inform your physician regarding the same if expired medicines have been taken chronically for a longer duration.

What happens if I miss a dose of Flunarizine?

• The medicine may not work well if you miss a dose because for effective working of the drug, a certain amount of drug must be present in your body at all times.
• Always consume the missed dose as soon as you remember it. But, if it’s already time to take the second dose after that – do not take double dose.

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