Flunarizine (Sibelium)
Here we look at the claims for Flunarizine (Sibelium).
Treatment details
Type
Pharmaceutical
Safety
Some potential for harm
Efficacy
Evidence that it is not effective
Recommended?
No
Claims for treatment
That anticonvulsants potentially reduce central auditory hyperactivity that may be related to tinnitus[1]. Flunarizine may also enhance blood flow and prevent narrowing of the blood vessels, which can be linked to tinnitus[2].
What is the treatment?
Flunarizine is taken in tablet form.
What are the downsides of this treatment?
Common side effects from clinical trials included nausea, dizziness, headache, tiredness[3].
Has there been research into this treatment?
One study has been conducted[4].
What does the research say?
Although a small scale study, flunarizine was no better than the placebo as a treatment for tinnitus[4].
There is no evidence to show that anticonvulsants have a large positive effect in the treatment of tinnitus[3].
There is no evidence to show that flunarizine has an impact on tinnitus.
Comments
Flunarizine is not marketed nor licensed in the UK.
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Give what you canAll online references accessed 9 November 2022 unless noted.
1. Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tinnitus. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. (2014) 151(2_suppl): S1-S40.
doi:10.1177/0194599814545325
2. Jastreboff PJ, Hazell JWP. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Implementing the Neurophysiological Model (2009). Cambridge University Press. ISBN
9780521088374
3. Hoekstra CEL, Rynja SP, van Zanten GA, Rovers MM. Anticonvulsants for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2011) Issue 7. Art. No.: CD007960. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD007960.pub2.
4. Hulshof JH, Vermeij P. The value of flunarizine in the treatment of tinnitus. ORL: Journal of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Its Related Specialties (1986) 48:33-6.