Cinnarizine for the prophylaxis of migraine associated vertigo: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of cinnarizine for the prophylaxis of migraine associated vertigo in the vestibular migraine and migraine with brainstem aura. BACKGROUND Vestibular migraine and migraine with brainstem aura are two principal clinical syndromes that frequently are associated with vertigo. Since cinnarizine is a well-tolerated calcium channel blocker which has acceptable effect on both vertigo and migraine headache, we carried out this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this medication in vestibular migraine and also migraine with brainstem aura associated with vertigo. METHODS This was a retrospective, single-center, open-label, investigation of the effects of cinnarizine on vestibular migraine and migraine with associated with vertigo. We assessed the change in monthly frequency of vertigo and also frequency, duration and intensity of migraine attacks after one, two and three months of cinnarizine administration. RESULTS The mean frequency of vertigo and also the mean frequency, duration and intensity of migraine headaches per month were reduced significantly after three months of cinnarizine therapy (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study suggests that cinnarizine is safe and effective in reducing both headache and vertigo aspects of "migraine plus vertigo" among the patients who suffer from either vestibular migraine or migraine with brainstem aura associated with vertigo.