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 asset in the prophylaxis of migraine. This was supported by a study in twenty patients with classical migraine who were, after a drug-free running-in phase, orally treated with either placebo or flunarizine (10 mg at night) for three to four months. Flunarizine significantly reduced the frequency, duration and severity of the migraine attacks. A corrected migraine index, based on these three variables, was reduced by 82% in the drug group but increased by 66% in the control patients. Only one patient did not clearly benefit from flunarizine, and the response in another illustrated that flunarizine has to be given for at least four months before its efficacy can be judged in some cases. No side effects occurred.