Pharmacological improvement of vestibular plasticity. Effects of a Ca2+-antagonist agent.

Repeated oral flunarizine administration (5 mg/Kg) in hemilabyrinthectomized guinea pigs induced increased and accelerated vestibular compensation. The disappearance of nystagmus and reduction of head deviation occurred more rapidly than in the control. These effects were irreversible and not dose-dependent. The possible mechanism of the drug action is discussed.