Flunarizine in the treatment of vertigo.

Experience with flunarizine, a selective calcium-entry blocker, in the treatment of dizziness is reviewed. Clinical efficacy was predicted in pharmacological studies both in rabbits and humans: torsion swing or caloric induced nystagmus were significantly suppressed by flunarizine. Open therapeutic findings, using clinical and electronystagmographic or audiographic assessments as well, showed that flunarizine is of benefit to patients with vertigo of labyrinthine as well as of cerebrovascular origin. These results were confirmed in double-blind controlled trials. Flunarizine, either started with a loading dose gradually decreased thereafter, or given at a fixed 10 mg. dose schedule was proven to produce rapid improvement of dizziness and unsteadiness and to be tolerated very well.