Vertig 5 mg (Tablet)
Medicine Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Generic | Flunarizine |
| Company | Alco pharma ltd |
| Also available as |
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
Flunarizine is the difluorinated derivative of cinnarizine. It is a selective calcium channel antagonist. By reducing excessive transmembrane influx of calcium, flunarizine prevents cellular calcium overload. It also has antihistaminic and sedative properties and binds at an affinity of 99% to plasma protein.
Dosage & Administration
- Migraine Prophylaxis:
- Starting Dose: 10 mg at night in patients less than 65 years of age and 5 mg daily in patients older than 65 years. Discontinue if depressive, extrapyramidal, or other unacceptable symptoms occur. Non-responders should discontinue after 2 months.
- Maintenance Treatment: If a patient is responding satisfactorily, decrease to 5 days treatment at the same daily dose with two successive medicine-free days every week. Interrupt prophylactic maintenance treatment after 6 months.
- 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 has been reported in few women on oral contraceptives within the first two months of Vertig treatment. Hepatic enzyme inducers such as Carbamazepine and Phenytoin may interact with Vertig by increasing its metabolism, requiring an increase in Vertig dosage.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to Flunarizine. Contra-indicated in patients with a 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, especially in elderly patients
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Gastralgia
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Galactorrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Muscle ache
- Skin rash
Pregnancy & Lactation
Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Precautions & Warnings
Vertig may lead to drowsiness, aggravated by simultaneous intake of alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. Caution against driving or performing hazardous tasks. Not suited for aborting a migraine attack. May give rise to extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms, revealing Parkinsonism, especially in predisposed patients such as the elderly.
Therapeutic Class
Miscellaneous prophylactic migraine preparations
Storage Conditions
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.