Flunarin 5 mg (Tablet)

Indications

• Prophylaxis of classic (with aura) or common (without aura) migraine
• Symptomatic treatment of vestibular vertigo (due to a diagnosed functional disorder of the vestibular system)
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
• Motion sickness
• Refractory epilepsy resistant to conventional antiepileptic therapy

Pharmacology

• Selective calcium channel antagonist
• Reduces excessive transmembrane influx of calcium
• Prevents cellular calcium overload
• Has antihistaminic and sedative properties
• Binds at an affinity of 99% to plasma protein

Dosage & Administration

• Starting Dose: 10 mg at night in patients less than 65 years of age and 5 mg daily in patients older than 65 years
• Maintenance Treatment: Decrease dose to 5 days treatment at the same daily dose with two successive medicine free days every week
• Peripheral Vascular disease: 10 mg twice daily, up to 30 mg per day if required
• Vertigo & motion sickness: 10-20 mg daily for adults and 5 mg daily for children (> 40 kg)
• Epileptic seizure: 15-20 mg daily in adults and 5 to 10 mg daily for children as an add-on therapy

Interaction

• Galactorrhoea reported in few women on oral contraceptives within the first two months of treatment
• Hepatic enzyme inducers such as Carbamazepine and Phenytoin may interact with the medication by increasing its metabolism
• Increase in dosage of the medication may be required

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Flunarizine
• History of depressive illness
• Pre-existing symptoms of Parkinson's disease or other extrapyramidal disorders

Side Effects

• Drowsiness and/or fatigue
• Weight gain and/or increased appetite
• Depression, particularly in female patients with a history of depressive illness
• Extrapyramidal symptoms, particularly in elderly patients
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Gastralgia
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Muscle ache
• Skin rash

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established

Precautions & Warnings

• May lead to drowsiness aggravated by simultaneous intake of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants
• Patients cautioned against driving motor vehicles or performing other potentially hazardous tasks
• Not suited for aborting a migraine attack
• Possible occurrence of an attack is not a reason to increase the dose
• May give rise to extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms
• May reveal Parkinsonism, especially in predisposed patients such as the elderly
• Should be used with caution in predisposed patients

Therapeutic Class

• Miscellaneous prophylactic migraine preparations

Storage Conditions

• Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture
• Keep out of the reach of children

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