Flunarizine for Hemiplegic Migraines — Sep 2024

This archive highlights our September 2024 article about using flunarizine for hemiplegic migraines. If you or someone you care for gets migraine attacks with temporary weakness on one side of the body, this guide pulls together the basics: what flunarizine does, who may benefit, common side effects, and practical steps to discuss with your doctor.

How flunarizine works and who it's for

Flunarizine is a calcium channel blocker with antihistamine and mild sedative effects. Doctors use it mainly as a preventive drug to reduce how often migraine attacks happen. For hemiplegic migraine — a rare type that causes temporary weakness or paralysis during an attack — evidence is limited but promising. Small clinical reports and patient series show fewer and milder attacks for some people after starting flunarizine.

Who might consider it? People whose hemiplegic attacks are frequent or disabling and who haven't responded well to first-line preventives like beta-blockers or topiramate. It's often tried when standard options fail or cause intolerable side effects. Always check with a neurologist experienced in complex migraines before starting.

Practical tips: dosing, side effects, and safety

Typical adult dosing is 5–10 mg taken at night. The sedative effect helps sleep but can cause daytime drowsiness at first. Expect to wait several weeks to see a clear benefit — preventive drugs take time. Keep a headache diary to track frequency, duration, and severity before and after starting treatment.

Common side effects include drowsiness, weight gain, and increased appetite. Less common but important risks are mood changes, including depressive symptoms, and movement problems like stiffness or tremor, especially in older adults. Flunarizine can worsen symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease or a history of depression — avoid it in those cases.

Other safety notes: avoid alcohol and be cautious with other sedatives. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take; interactions can raise the risk of sleepiness or movement side effects. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should discuss alternatives — many specialists avoid flunarizine in pregnancy.

If you start flunarizine, schedule follow-ups to review effectiveness and mood. If you notice new depressive symptoms or movement issues, stop the drug and call your doctor. If flunarizine isn't suitable, other preventive choices include verapamil, topiramate, or tailored non-drug approaches like lifestyle changes and trigger management.

This post from September 2024 aims to give clear, practical info so you can have a focused chat with your clinician. Want the full article details or a downloadable checklist to take to your appointment? Check the full post linked on our site.