[Prophylactic treatment of migraine: a prospective open study on 100 patients]

The prophylactic value of a daily dose of 10 mg flunarizine, a calcium antagonist, was analysed in 100 migraineurs during 4-month in an open study. Ninety-three patients completed the full 16-week course of therapy, and seven patients presented important adverse reactions requiring discontinuation of the drug. However, the seven patients who dropped out during flunarizine treatment were not considered in the analysis. Side-effects included weight gain, sleepiness, humor depression, paresthesias and dry mouth. Eighty-one patients experienced abolition or significant reduction in headache incidence and/or severity. We conclude that flunarizine may be an effective drug in migraine prophylaxis.