[Parkinsonism, depression and akathisia induced by flunarizine, a calcium entry blockade--report of 31 cases].

Flunarizine hydrochloride (FZ), a calcium entry blockade, has been used nationwide in Japan as a cerebral active vasodilator since October, 1984. The present paper reports 31 cases of FZ-induced Parkinsonism, depression and akathisia, referred to our hospital between October 1986 and September 1988. Out of the 31 patients, four including two with Parkinson's disease and one each with progressive supranuclear palsy and olivopontocerebellar atrophy showed worsening of their parkinsonian symptoms within a few months after FZ administration. The remaining 27 patients (7 males and 20 females) newly developed Parkinsonism after treatment with FZ. Symptoms appeared one week to two years (mean: 6.1 months) after starting FZ of a daily dose of 10 mg. FZ had been used in 6 patients for cerebrovascular episodes confirmed by clinical history or brain CT, and in the remainder, for dizziness, light-headedness, hypertension, amnesia or hypochondric neurotic complaints. Akinesia and bradykinesia progressed rather rapidly after onset, and patients became unambulatory within several months. Symptoms had worsened, and L-dopa, anticholinergic drugs, and bromocriptine had been ineffective until FZ was discontinued. Their Parkinsonism was characterized by marked akinesia, bradykinesia, and moderate rigidity. Masked face was seen in most of them. Tremor was absent at rest, and induced in 12 patients by posture and/or action. Sixteen patients were accompanied by depression, and five, by akathisia. Improvement began several weeks after withdrawal of FZ, and most patients recovered almost completely within a few months although mild rigidity and bradykinesia remained in some.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)