Double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of flunarizine as adjunct therapy in epilepsy with complex partial seizures

Abstract

Flunarizine was compared to placebo in a double-blind cross-over trial of 2 16-week treatment periods separated by a 4-week wash-out period. The patients had epilepsy with complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalised seizures. Twenty-nine patients entered the trial, but 7 dropped out. Of the 22 patients completing the trial, 13 were women; the median was 39 years (range 15-58) and the median duration of epilepsy 23 years (range 4-55). There was no statistically significant difference between flunarizine 15 mg daily and placebo as adjunct therapy in total seizure frequency, neuropsychological tests, and patient's preferences. No interactions with concomitant antiepileptic drugs and no laboratory abnormalities were registered.