Betahistine
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DRUG STATUS
Approvals
UK(BNF)
Essential Medicine
NO
Teratogenicity
Unlisted
Pharmaceutical Class
Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
Betahistine
Know More About This Medicine -
Click HereSummary
Betahistine is used to treat symptoms of Ménière's disease, which include dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and hearing problems. However, it does not cure the disease.
Betahistine works by changing how the body uses a substance called histamine, improving blood flow to the inner ear and brain. This helps the balance system recover and adjusts the brain to the dizziness.
For adults, the initial dosage is a 16mg pill taken three times a day, preferably with food. Later, your doctor might adjust your dose to be between 24mg and 48mg total per day. Betahistine is not recommended for children under 18.
Common side effects of Betahistine include nausea, indigestion, and headaches. Some people may also experience stomach problems like vomiting, pain, bloating, or skin reactions like rash or itching.
Betahistine should not be used by people with a rare tumor called phaeochromocytoma or allergies to it. If you have stomach ulcers, asthma, hives, rashes, hay fever, or very low blood pressure, your doctor needs to be extra careful prescribing it.
Indications and Purpose
What is Betahistine used for?
Betahistine tablets help some people with Ménière's disease. Ménière's disease causes dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing problems. This medicine may lessen these symptoms, but it doesn't cure the disease.
How does Betahistine work?
Betahistine helps with inner ear problems. It seems to work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain and inner ear that control balance and hearing. This improves blood flow to these areas, and helps the brain adjust to inner ear issues. The exact way it does this isn't completely known, but it involves influencing brain signals related to balance.
Is Betahistine effective?
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Betahistine effectively reduces the severity and frequency of vertigo episodes in patients with Ménière's syndrome.
How does one know if Betahistine is working?
Patients typically experience reduced dizziness, less frequent vertigo attacks, and improvement in hearing and tinnitus symptoms.
Directions for Use
What is the usual dose of Betahistine?
For grown-ups, start by taking a 16mg pill three times a day, ideally with food. Later, your doctor might adjust your dose to be between 24mg and 48mg total per day. This medicine isn't for kids under 18 because there isn't enough information on whether it's safe and effective for them.
How do I take Betahistine?
Take 16 milligrams of this medicine three times a day. It's best to take it with food to avoid an upset stomach. You don't have to avoid any particular foods.
For how long do I take Betahistine?
Betahistine is sometimes taken long-term, with usual daily doses ranging from 24 to 48 milligrams. How long someone takes it depends on their individual needs and their doctor's advice. There's no set time frame.
How long does it take for Betahistine to start working?
Betahistine's active part shows up in the blood quickly, peaking in about an hour. It then leaves the body gradually over a few hours. How quickly you feel its effects isn't stated in the provided information, but the body processes it relatively fast.
How should I store Betahistine?
Keep the medicine in its original container to keep it dry. It's good for 3 years.
Warnings and Precautions
Who should avoid taking Betahistine?
Betahistine shouldn't be used by people with a rare tumor called phaeochromocytoma or allergies to it. If you have stomach ulcers, asthma, hives, rashes, hay fever, or very low blood pressure, your doctor needs to be extra careful prescribing it. To avoid stomach problems, take it with food or a lower dose.
Can I take Betahistine with other prescription drugs?
Betahistine is a medicine, and it doesn't mix well with some other things. Specifically, it's risky to take it with MAO inhibitors (a type of medicine), alcohol, or a combination of pyrimethamine and dapsone (other medicines). It can also become stronger and have more of an effect when taken with salbutamol (another medicine). Tests in a lab show that MAO inhibitors might stop the body from breaking down betahistine properly, which could lead to problems. Basically, you should tell your doctor about *all* the medicines and alcohol you're taking before you start betahistine.
Can I take Betahistine with vitamins or supplements?
There are no specific interactions with common vitamins or supplements. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining medications.
Can Betahistine be taken safely while pregnant?
Betahistine is a medicine, and doctors don't recommend it for pregnant women. We don't know enough about how it might affect a baby during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman needs this medicine, her doctor will carefully consider if the benefits outweigh any possible risks to her baby. The same careful consideration is given if a mother is breastfeeding.
Can Betahistine be taken safely while breastfeeding?
We don't know if the medicine betahistine passes into human breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any possible risks to your baby from this medicine. To be safe, it's best to avoid betahistine while pregnant.
Is Betahistine safe for the elderly?
For older people, there's usually no need to change the amount of medicine they take. We don't have a lot of study data on this, but experience shows it's usually fine. However, be careful if the person has very low blood pressure.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Betahistine?
Exercise is generally safe but should be avoided during active vertigo episodes to prevent injury.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Betahistine?
A study showed that the medicine betahistine might react badly with alcohol. It's best to be careful and avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. We don't know exactly what happens if you drink a little alcohol, but it's safer not to risk it.
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