Calcium channel blockers are typically prescribed to manage high blood pressure. One such medication called flunarizine is also effective in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches. Also known as an calcium antagonist, flunarizine may help decrease the number of migraines a person experiences. Not available in the United States, doctors prescribe flunarizine in Canada and other countries.
Drowsiness
Taking flunarizine to help prevent migraine headaches can cause the common and non-serious side effect of drowsiness, particularly during initial use of the drug, Medbroadcast.ca states. Of the people using the medication in clinical trials, drowsiness was the most common adverse reaction to it, according to the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation. The drug takes some time--often a matter of weeks or months--to become fully effective in preventing migraine headaches. As the body adjusts to the medication, the drowsiness in most cases will disappear. As with all side effects, even those classified as non-serious, the person using the medicine should report drowsiness to a medical professional if it is severe or does not stop on its own.
Appetite Changes
The second most common but non-serious side effect of flunarizine, Medbroadcast.ca reports, is appetite changes. Typically, the appetite of the person increases because of flunarizine use. This can lead to weight gain for the person. According to the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation, weight gain occurred in approximately 15 percent of people using flunarizine in a clinical trial and forced 1.1 percent of the total number of people testing it to remove themselves from the study.
Depression
Flunarizine can cause the person to become depressed. The medication may make the person feel empty, sad and hopeless. The clinical study reported that most of those suffering from depression associated with flunarizine use had a personal and/or family history of depression. Because depression can occur as a serious side effect of taking flunarizine, the person should ask a doctor for help if this effect occurs. The physician may want to change the medication to help prevent the occurrence of migraine headaches.
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