When you're dealing with frequent migraines or constant dizziness, flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker used to prevent migraines and treat vertigo. Also known as Sibelium, it's not a painkiller you take when a headache hits—it's a daily medicine that helps reduce how often those attacks come. Unlike typical pain meds, flunarizine works by calming overactive blood vessels in the brain and stabilizing nerve signals that trigger dizziness. It’s been used for decades in Europe and parts of Asia, but it’s still not approved in the U.S., which means many people only hear about it through online forums or doctors who’ve seen it work firsthand.
Flunarizine doesn’t just target headaches. It’s also a go-to for vestibular disorders, conditions affecting the inner ear that cause spinning sensations, imbalance, or nausea. People with Ménière’s disease or vestibular migraine often find relief where other drugs fail. It’s not a quick fix—it takes weeks to build up in your system—but for many, the reduction in attack frequency is worth the wait. Side effects like drowsiness, weight gain, or low mood can happen, which is why it’s not for everyone. If you’ve tried beta-blockers or topiramate and didn’t tolerate them, flunarizine might be a different path worth exploring—with a doctor’s guidance, of course.
It’s also important to know what flunarizine isn’t. It’s not an antihistamine like cetirizine, nor is it a triptan like sumatriptan. It doesn’t stop a migraine once it starts. Instead, it’s part of a prevention strategy, much like calcium channel blockers, a class of drugs that block calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells, helping relax arteries and reduce nerve overactivity. That’s why it’s often compared to verapamil or nimodipine. If you’ve been told you can’t take beta-blockers due to asthma or low blood pressure, flunarizine might be your next option. But it’s not a substitute for lifestyle changes—sleep, stress, and hydration still matter.
The posts below cover real-world comparisons and concerns you might not find in drug labels. You’ll see how flunarizine stacks up against other preventive meds, what side effects patients actually report, and why some people stop taking it. There are also guides on managing dizziness without drugs, when to push back on a prescription, and what alternatives exist if flunarizine doesn’t work—or causes too many side effects. This isn’t just about one drug. It’s about understanding your options when standard treatments fall short.
