Flunarizine: A practical guide for headaches and dizziness

If migraines or recurring dizziness are getting in the way of your life, flunarizine is a medicine doctors sometimes prescribe to help reduce attacks. It’s not a quick fix — most people need several weeks before they notice any change — but it can cut how often or how badly symptoms happen for many patients.

How flunarizine works and common uses

Flunarizine is a calcium entry blocker with antihistamine-like effects. That means it calms overactive nerve signals that can trigger migraine and can reduce symptoms from vestibular (balance) disorders that cause vertigo. Doctors most often use it for migraine prevention and for long-term control of dizziness or vertigo when other treatments fail.

Typical starting doses are 5 mg once daily, often taken at night because the drug commonly causes drowsiness. Some people move up to 10 mg if 5 mg doesn’t help. Expect at least 6–8 weeks to judge whether it’s working, and clinicians usually reassess after a few months.

Side effects, precautions, and practical tips

Common side effects are sleepiness, weight gain, and increased appetite. Less common but important problems include low mood or depression and movement disorders that look like Parkinson’s (stiffness, slow movements, tremor). These movement effects are more likely in older adults and with longer use.

Do not use flunarizine if you have a history of Parkinson’s disease or severe depression. Also be cautious if you take other medicines that cause drowsiness (like benzodiazepines, opioids, or heavy alcohol use) — combining them increases risk of sedation. If you’re on antipsychotics, talk with your doctor because combined use raises the chance of movement side effects.

Practical tips: take the dose at night to cut daytime sleepiness; weigh yourself regularly and watch your mood; avoid driving or heavy machinery until you know how it affects you. If you notice new tremor, stiffness, or a drop in mood, contact your clinician. Movement problems can persist, so don’t stop or change the dose suddenly without medical advice; gradual withdrawal is sometimes recommended.

Flunarizine isn’t approved everywhere (it’s widely used in Europe, Latin America and parts of Asia but not in the United States). Availability, brand names, and recommended lab checks can vary by country, so follow local guidance and pharmacy instructions.

If you’re considering flunarizine, bring a short list of your current medicines and health history to the appointment. Ask how long you should try it, what side effects to watch for, and when to follow up. That simple conversation helps you and your doctor make a safer, clearer plan for treating migraines or chronic dizziness.

If you want more detailed dosing options or need help comparing flunarizine with other migraine preventives, our site has articles and reviews that explain alternatives and safety notes in plain language.