Flunarizine I.V. in the Acute Treatment of the Migraine Attack. A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Flunarizine, 20 mg by slow intravenous injection, was studied in the acute treatment of migraine attacks in a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. At the end of the 60 min observation period, 23 of the 31 (74.2%) patients treated with flunarizine reported complete relief, or a pain reduction of more than 50%, vs. 8 of 29 (27.6%) placebo patients (p < 0.017). Accompanying symptoms also improved significantly better in the flunarizine than in the placebo group. The investigators evaluated the therapy as good or excellent in 77.4% of the flunarizine and in 27.6% of the placebo patients, respectively. Tolerance of the therapy was good and comparable in the two groups. Somnolence was the only flunarizinerelated adverse reaction. Blood pressure and heart rate were not affected. Flunarizine i.v. deserves further study in the acute treatment of a migraine attack.