Add-on therapy in epilepsy with calcium entry blockers.

In view of the known role of Ca2+ in the paroxysmal depolarization shifts of epileptic neurones, the possibility arises that certain Ca2+ entry blockers possess antiepileptic activity. The only drug of the class which readily passes the blood-brain barrier is flunarizine. This is effective in experimental models of epilepsy and produced significant seizure reduction in two therapeutic trials in therapy-resistant patients. It has few and mild side effects at therapeutic blood levels.