Flunarizine in the prevention of classical migraine: a placebo-controlled evaluation

Pharmacological data and early clinical experience have suggested that the calcium entry blocker flunarizine may be a valuable gain in the prophylaxis of migraine. This was supported by a study in 20 patients with classical migraine who were, after a drug free run-in phase, orally treated with either placebo or flunarizine (10 mg at night) for 3 to 4 months. Flunarizine significantly reduced the frequency, duration and severity of the migraine attacks. A corrected migraine index, based on these 3 variables was reduced by 82% in the drug group but increased by 66% in the control patients. Only 1 patient did not clearly benefit from flunarizine. In some cases flunarizine should be administered for at least 4 months before judging its efficacy. No side-effects occurred.