Flunarizine in vertigo. A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over evaluation of a constant-dose schedule.

The anti-vertigo activity of flunarizine has been evaluated in a 16-week double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial involving 41 patients. After a 4-week open running-in treatment with 10 mg flunarizine daily, the 40 responders were either further treated with flunarizine--at the same dose--or given matching placebo. After another 6 weeks, they were switched to the alternative medication. Severity of vertigo, and frequency and duration of the attacks were quickly and significantly reduced with the open flunarizine dose. Continuation of the drug further produced a slight improvement whereas switching over to the placebo resulted in a significant deterioration of the patients' condition. Tinnitus seemed to be less responsive to treatment. The level of untoward effects (sedation) was low and similar for both medications.