Six double-blind studies have been published in which the efficacy of flunarizine and pizotifen were compared. In none of the studies were differences of statistical significance revealed for attack frequency. Secondary analysis of the three studies in which the same protocol was employed, using parametric tests on transformed data gave similar results. Pooling of the data in an attempt to enhance the power by enlarging the number of patients, actually decreased the power due to an increase in standard deviation.
SicuteriFFranchiGDel BiancoPL. An antaminic drug, BC 105, in the prophylaxis of migraine. Int Arch Allergy1967;31:78–93.
2.
DrillischCGirkeW. Ergebnisse der Behandlung von Migräne-Patienten mit Cinnarizin und Flunarizin. Med Welt1980;31:1870–2.
3.
WolffHG. Headache and other head pain. New York: Oxford University Press1980 (4th edition; ed. DalessioDJ).
4.
OlesenJLarsenBLauritzenM. Focal hyperemia followed by spreading oligemia and impaired activation of rCBF in classic migraine. Ann Neurol1981;9:344–52.
5.
LauritzenMOlsenTSLassenNAPaulsonOB. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow during the course of classic migraine attacks. Ann Neurol1983;13:633–41.
6.
MilnerPM. Note on a possible correspondence between the scotomas of migraine and spreading depression of Leão. EEG Clin Neurophysiol1958;10:705.
7.
WauquierAAshtonDMarrannesR. The effects of flunarizine in experimental models related to the pathogenesis of migraine. Cephalalgia1985;5 (Suppl 2): 120–3.
8.
LouisPSpieringsELH. Comparison of flunarizine (Sibelium) and pizotifen (Sandomigran) in migraine treatment: a double-blind study. Cephalalgia1982;2:197–203.
9.
WörzRDrillischC. Migräne-Prophylaxe durch einen Kalziumeintrittsblocker. Ergebnisse einer Doppelblindstudie Flunarizin vs. Pizotifen. Münch Med Wschr1983;125:711–14.
10.
D'EttorreMBattistaVMorettiLRaimondiSFedericoA. Trattamento della cefalea accessionale. Studio in doppio cieco con flunarizina e piozotifene. Giornale di Neuropsicofarmacologia1985;7:323–7.
11.
NuijtenSTM. Comparative trial of flunarizine and pizotifen in the prophylaxis of migraine (abstract). Zschr Neurol1985;232 (suppl):219.
12.
CerboRCasacchiMFormisanoRFelicianiMCusimanoGBuzziMGAgnoliA. Flunarizinepizotifen single-dose double-blind cross-over trial in migraine prophylaxis. Cephalalgia1986;6:15–18.
13.
RascolAMontastrucJLRascolO. Flunarizine versus pizotifen: a double-blind study in the prophylaxis of migraine. Headache1986;26:83–5.
