Summary
Flunarizine is widely used in the prophylaxis of migraine. It is both a calcium blocker and a histamine antagonist at H1-receptors and either of these effects could alter hormonal secretion. The effect of administration of flunarizine to 8 women with common migraine on pituitary secretion has been studied. The dopamine antagonist domperidone (10 mg) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (100 µg) were injected iv before and after one month of flunarizine therapy (10 mg orally at bed-time).
The basal prolactin level was significantly increased by the drug, and the peak induced by domperidone stimulation was reduced. Basal TSH concentrations were not affected, but the increase after domperidone was blunted.
After 90 days of therapy there were no significant differences from the baseline concentration. Neither basal nor gonadotropin releasing hormone — stimulated secretion of FSH and LH were affected by flunarizine. Twelve healthy men were given placebo and flunarizine (10 mg at bedtime) for 5 days in single-blind fashion. Flunarizine caused a significant increase in prolactin and TSH with no effect on basal gonadotropin and thyroid hormone levels.
These results can be accounted for by the calcium blocking effect of the drug, although weak interference with dopaminergic transmission is a further possibility explanation.
Article PDF
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Louis P (1981) A double-blind placebo-controlled prophylactic study of Flunarizine in migraine. Headache 21: 235–239
Van Nueten JM, Janssen PAJ (1973) Comparative study of the effect of flunarizine and cinnarizine on smooth muscles and cardiac tissues. Arch Int Pharmacodynam Ther 204: 42–52
Godfraind T, Miller RC (1981) Prostaglandin F2 mediated contractions and45Ca-influx into rat mesenteric arteries: Inhibition by flunarizine a calcium entry blocker. Br J Pharmacol 73: 252
Barbarino A, DeMarinis L (1980) Calcium antagonists and hormone release II. Effects of verapamil on basal, gonadotropin releasing hormone- and thyrotropin releasing hormone-induced pituitary hormone release in normal subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 51: 749–753
Veldhuis JL, Borges C, Drake CR, Rogol AD, Kaiser DL, Thorner MO (1985) Divergent influences of structurally dissimilar calcium entry blockers verapamil and diltiazem on thyrotropin and gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulated anterior pituitary hormone secretion in man. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 51: 749–753
Maestri E, Camellini L, Rossi G, Bordonali G, Bellodi G, Gnudi A (1985) Effects of five days verapamil administration on serum GH and PRL levels. Hormon Metab Res 17: 483
Pontiroli AE, Pozza G (1978) Histamine stimulates prolactin release in normal men. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 88: 23–25
Leysen JE, Gommeren W (1984) In vitro receptor binding profile of drugs used in migraine. In: Amery WK, Van Nueten JM, Wanquier A (eds) The pharmacological basis of migraine therapy. Pitman, London, pp 255–266
Mac Leod RM, Nagy I, Login IS, Kimura H, Valdenegro C, Thorner M (1980) The roles of dopamine, cAMP, calcium in prolactin secretion. In: MacLeod RM, Scapagnini U (eds) Central and peripheral regulation of prolactin function. Raven Press New York, pp 27–54
Rojdmark SD, Anderson EH (1982) Influences of metoclopramide on calcium inhibition of thyrotropin response to thyrotropin releasing hormone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 54: 998–1002
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maestri, E., Manzoni, G.C., Marchesi, G. et al. Effect of flunarizine on pituitary secretion by healthy men and in woman with migraine. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 32, 525–527 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00637681
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00637681