Flunarizine for Hemiplegic Migraines — September 2024

September's post at ReliableRXPharmacy covered practical use of flunarizine for people who get hemiplegic migraines. If you or someone you care for has this type of migraine, the key questions are: does it work, what dose is right, and what side effects should you watch for? This summary pulls out the actionable parts so you can talk to your doctor with clear points.

What flunarizine does: It’s a calcium channel blocker that helps prevent migraine attacks by stabilizing blood vessels and nerve activity. Clinically it’s used as a preventive option rather than a rescue medicine during attacks. For hemiplegic migraine, doctors consider flunarizine when other preventives haven’t helped or cause too many side effects.

Typical dosing and trial period: A common starting dose is 5 mg at night, often increased to 10 mg if needed and tolerated. Doctors usually allow a trial of about 2 to 3 months to judge effect; preventive drugs can take several weeks to show benefit. If there’s no improvement after a proper trial, your clinician will suggest alternatives.

Side effects and safety tips

The main side effects people report are drowsiness and weight gain. Less common but serious issues include mood changes, depression, and movement problems similar to Parkinson’s disease — especially in older adults. Don’t use flunarizine if you have a history of depression or Parkinson’s. Mention any antidepressants, antipsychotics, or strong sedatives you take, because they can increase problems.

Practical tips: take flunarizine at night to reduce daytime sleepiness; keep a headache diary to track frequency and severity; weigh yourself weekly if weight gain is a concern; and ask your prescriber about gradual dose changes. If you notice stiffness, tremors, slow movements, or new low mood, stop the drug and contact your doctor quickly.

How to combine treatment and lifestyle

Flunarizine works best as part of a plan, not alone. Identify triggers like poor sleep, missed meals, dehydration, or strong smells. Regular sleep, steady meals, hydration, and stress management improve results. If attacks are frequent despite prevention, your doctor may add other therapies or refer you to a headache specialist.

Patient experiences vary. Some report fewer and less severe attacks within a month, others need dose adjustments. The big takeaway: flunarizine can help prevent hemiplegic migraine for some people, but it must be used carefully and under medical supervision. Use the September article as a checklist for your next appointment — dose, trial length, side effects to watch, and lifestyle moves to try alongside medication.

Before starting, list current medications, mental health history, and any movement disorders. Ask your doctor about testing mood regularly and setting a clear review date after two months. Women planning pregnancy or breastfeeding should mention this—flunarizine is usually avoided in pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks. If you agree to a trial, set clear goals: reduce attack frequency by half or lower intensity. That makes it easier to decide whether to keep the drug. Keep notes and bring them to follow-up so decisions are based on real data, not vague memory. Ask questions early.