When you hear flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker used to prevent migraines and treat vertigo. Also known as Sibelium, it doesn’t just mask symptoms—it changes how your brain and blood vessels react to triggers. Unlike painkillers that wait for a headache to hit, flunarizine works quietly in the background, calming overactive nerve signals and stabilizing blood flow in the brain. This is why it’s prescribed for people who get frequent migraines or feel dizzy for no clear reason.
Flunarizine’s main trick is blocking calcium from entering nerve and muscle cells. Too much calcium means nerves fire too easily, blood vessels spasm, and signals get scrambled—exactly what happens before a migraine or during a vertigo attack. By keeping calcium levels steady, flunarizine reduces the frequency and intensity of these episodes. It’s not a quick fix like an NSAID; it builds up over weeks. Most people start noticing changes after 2 to 4 weeks of daily use. It’s also used off-label for vestibular migraines, where dizziness and headache mix together, and sometimes for movement disorders linked to dopamine imbalance.
What makes flunarizine different from other migraine preventers? It doesn’t just target serotonin like topiramate or beta-blockers like propranolol. It hits calcium channels directly, which also helps with inner ear balance issues. That’s why it’s often chosen when vertigo is part of the picture. But it’s not for everyone. Side effects like drowsiness, weight gain, or depression can show up, especially with long-term use. If you’re on other meds that affect your heart rhythm or liver, talk to your doctor—flunarizine can interact.
The posts below cover how flunarizine stacks up against other treatments, what real users report, and when it’s worth trying versus when you should look elsewhere. You’ll find comparisons with drugs like betahistine and verapamil, insights into dosing, and red flags to watch for. Whether you’re dealing with daily dizziness or migraines that ruin your week, these guides help you cut through the noise and understand what flunarizine can—and can’t—do for you.
