Effects of flunarizine on induced nystagmus and cochlear blood flow.

The effects of flunarizine on induced nystagmus and cochlear blood flow were compared with those of cinnarizine and diphenidol. Flunarizine significantly inhibited caloric (cool water)-induced nystagmus frequency and duration of nystagmus in rabbits at 5 mg/kg i.v., whereas cinnarizine and diphenidol only slightly decreased the frequency of nystagmus at 5 mg/kg, i.v. As for optokinetic stimuli-induced nystagmus in rabbits, flunarizine significantly decreased the amplitude of nystagmus at 2.5 mg/kg i.v., and cinnarizine and diphenidol inhibited nystagmus at 5 mg/kg, i.v. Flunarizine had no effect on nystagmus induced by electrical stimulation of the lateral geniculate body in rabbits at doses up to 5 mg/kg, i.v. Flunarizine increased the cochlear blood flow in anesthetized guinea pigs dose-dependently (0.312-1.25 mg/kg i.v.) On the other hand, cinnarizine (0.625-2.5 mg/kg i.v.) and diphenidol (0.625-2.5 mg/kg i.v.) increased cochlear blood flow, but the duration of action of both cinnarizine and diphenidol was shorter than that of flunarizine at the same dose. As stated above, flunarizine inhibited nystagmus experimentally induced by caloric or optokinetic stimuli. Increased cochlear blood flow suggested that the enhancement of vestibular blood flow might play an important role in the treatment of vestibular dysfunctions with this drug.