[Effects of flunarizine on positional nystagmus]

The anti-vertigo activity of the flunarizine on the positional nystagmus has been evaluated in 30 subjects suffering from central or peripheral labyrinthine disorders. The medication was given only once at the dose of 10 mg and its activity was evaluated by means of electronystagmographic recording six hours after drug intake. In 9 cases the positional nystagmus, classified according to Nylèn was the first type, in 13 subjects it was the second type and 8 cases had the third type. The drug determined the inhibition of the positional nystagmus in 53% of the subjects and an evident reduction in 27% of the cases. These effects were most evident both in the central lesions and in the I and III type of the positional nystagmus. In the remaining cases (20%) the differences between the nystagmus recorded before and after treatment with flunarizine were not significant.