Flunarizine v. placebo in childhood migraine. A double-blind study.

Abstract

Successful migraine prophylaxis with flunarizine has been reported in adults by several authors. We used flunarizine in a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized trial in childhood migraine. Twenty-four children with classical or common migraine were followed by a 12-week flunarizine treatment period. Each patient took 5 mg/day of the drug before going to sleep. Twenty-four children with similar clinical characteristics were assigned to placebo treatment. Efficacy of flunarizine versus placebo was assessed on the basis of the reduction of headache frequency and duration. A statistical comparison was performed between values reported in the treatment period and those in the three months before. Children treated with flunarizine experienced a statistically significant reduction in headache (66%) and duration (51%). These results were statistically superior to those observed in the placebo group. Sixteen patients on flunarizine therapy experienced an improvement of more than 50% of both parameters. We found flunarizine is an effective agent in children's migraine prophylaxis. Moreover it is suitable for the low incidence of mild side effects.

• Authors: F Sorge, E Marano
• Journal: Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache (Cephalalgia) Vol. 5 Suppl 2 Pg. 145-8 (May 1985) ISSN: 0333-1024 [Print] England
• PMID: 2861907 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Histamine H1 Antagonists

Topics

• Calcium Channel Blockers (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Migraine Disorders (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Random Allocation