Flurium 10

Indications:

Flurium is indicated for prophylaxis of classic (with aura) or common (without aura) migraine, symptomatic treatment of vestibular vertigo (due to a diagnosed functional disorder of the vestibular system), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), motion sickness, and refractory epilepsy resistant to conventional antiepileptic therapy.

Pharmacology:

Flunarizine, a difluorinated derivative of cinnarizine, acts as a selective calcium channel antagonist. It prevents cellular calcium overload without disrupting normal calcium homeostasis. Flunarizine also exhibits antihistaminic and sedative properties and binds with high affinity to plasma proteins.

Dosage & Administration:

• Migraine Prophylaxis: Starting Dose: 10 mg at night for patients under 65 years; 5 mg daily for patients over 65 years. Discontinue if depressive or extrapyramidal symptoms occur. Consider discontinuing if no improvement after 2 months. Maintenance Treatment: Reduce to 5 days per week with two medicine-free days weekly after initial treatment. Consider interrupting after 6 months.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease: 10 mg twice daily, up to 30 mg daily if necessary.
• Vertigo & Motion Sickness: Adults: 10-20 mg daily; Children (>40 kg): 5 mg daily.
• Epileptic Seizure: Adults: 15-20 mg daily; Children: 5-10 mg daily as adjunct therapy.

Interaction:

Interaction with hepatic enzyme inducers (e.g., Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) may increase Flurium metabolism, requiring dosage adjustments.

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to Flunarizine. Contraindicated in patients with depressive illness, Parkinson’s disease symptoms, or extrapyramidal disorders.

Side Effects:

Common: Drowsiness, fatigue, weight gain, increased appetite. Chronic treatment risks: Depression (particularly in females with a history), extrapyramidal symptoms (especially in elderly), heartburn, nausea, gastralgia, insomnia, anxiety, galactorrhoea, dry mouth, muscle ache, skin rash.

Pregnancy & Lactation:

Safety not established; avoid use during pregnancy and lactation.

Precautions & Warnings:

May cause drowsiness exacerbated by alcohol or CNS depressants. Caution advised in tasks requiring mental alertness. Not suitable for aborting migraine attacks. Monitor for extrapyramidal and depressive symptoms, especially in predisposed patients like the elderly.

Therapeutic Class:

Miscellaneous prophylactic migraine preparations

Storage Conditions:

Store below 30°C, protect from light & moisture, keep out of reach of children.