Flunarizine and betahistine. Two different therapeutic approaches in vertigo compared in a double-blind study.

One hundred and seventeen adult patients suffering from vestibular vertigo were treated in a multicentre double-blind study with flunarizine (10 mg before sleeping) or betahistine dichlorhydrate (8 mg 3 times daily). The study took 2 months. The results revealed that flunarizine is significantly more active against attacks of vertigo and associated symptoms (mainly neurovegetative disorders, anxiety and headaches). The global superiority of flunarizine was confirmed by both the evaluation by the investigators and the patient. Significantly fewer patients treated with flunarizine reported side effects or interrupted the trial therapy prematurely. This study confirms the value of the calcium antagonist flunarizine in the treatment of vestibular vertigo.