Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of flunarizine as add-on therapy in epilepsy

Abstract

In a therapy-resistant epileptic population with partial complex seizures with or without secondary generalization, addition of flunarizine to existing therapy was accompanied by a significant reduction in complex partial and tonic-clonic seizures. This result did not appear to be due to serial effects or changes in the plasma levels of the co-medication. Side effects were rare. The serum flunarizine levels (13.8 ng/ml; range, 3-32.5 ng/ml) were lower than previously reported on a daily dose of 10 mg. This may reflect increased metabolism due to induction of liver enzymes by the co-medication. Given this finding, together with the low incidence of side effects, a further study is required to determine whether higher blood levels would give an improved degree and incidence of seizure reduction.