Betahistine
About
Betahistine comes under the category of medications called 'antihistamine anti-vertigo medication', primarily indicated in the treatment of Meniere’s disease and its symptoms including dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), feeling sick (nausea), and difficulty in hearing. Meniere’s disease is a medical condition that affects the inner ear caused by the building up of extra fluid inside the ear. In vertigo, a person feels that they are moving or spinning, but they are not moving. In tinnitus, a person feels a noise or ringing in their ears.
Betahistine compromises of Betahistine that works by enhancing the blood flow to the affected part of the ear and also by reducing the amount of fluid in the inner ear. This drug also reduces the number of attacks a person can have.
Take Betahistine as prescribed. Betahistine may cause some of the unpleasant effects that include feeling sick (nausea), indigestion (acid reflux), bloating or mild stomach ache, headache. Most of the unpleasant effects caused by this medicine do not require medical attention and will go in a couple of days. However, if the side effects get worsen with time or do not pass in a couple of days, then one should seek medical help.
Consult with your doctor before taking Betahistine if you have asthma, a stomach ulcer, skin rash, or low blood pressure. Betahistine is not allowed in patients under 18 years old. A person should tell their doctor about the medicines, herbal nonherbal products they are using. If a person is pregnant or breast-feeding or planning to be pregnant, then they can only take this medicine if prescribed by the doctor. And also tell the doctor, if you have had an allergic reaction to betahistine or any other medicines in the past.
Uses of Betahistine
Medicinal Benefits
Betahistine is indicated to treat symptoms such as ringing in your ears (tinnitus), dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, and hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease. Betahistine works by increasing the blood flow to your brain and by lowering the extra pressure build up in the inner ear. By easing down the symptoms associated with Meniere's disease, this drug helps a person to live their normal life.
Directions for Use
Side Effects of Betahistine
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Stomach discomfort
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Betahistine is not allowed to use in patients with porphyria and should be used with caution to patients with bronchial asthma. This medication is not allowed to use in children and persons who have galactose intolerance. Vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss are common signs of Ménière's syndrome that can harm a person's ability to drive or operate any machine. This medicine can cause mild stomach discomfort, so taking it with food can help to reduce stomach problems. Pregnant or breast-feeding females should consult with the doctor before taking this drug as the use of this medicine is only allowed in such case when benefits outweigh the risk.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Betahistine may interact with other medicines that include MAO inhibitors (Isocarboxazid) other antihistamines (cetirizine, chlorpheniramine), and beta-2 agonists (salmeterol, formoterol).
Drug-Food Interactions: No such interaction reported. However, one should limit alcohol, caffeine, and high salt diet consumption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Betahistine cannot be used in conditions that include peptic ulcer, adrenal tumor, and asthma.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThere is no specific restriction on drinking alcohol, but some persons have reported that they have noticed a drastic improvement in their Ménière's disease after quitting alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionBetahistine can be used during pregnancy but only under the supervision of a physician. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBetahistine is not allowed to take during breastfeeding or take if directed by the doctor as it is still under research that this medicine pass in breast milk or not.
Driving
unsafeTaking Betahistine affects a person's ability to drive so one should avoid driving.
Liver
cautionBetahistine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionBetahistine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeThe use of Betahistine is not recommended in children and adolescents whose age is less than 18 years due to a shortage of data on safety and effectiveness.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A person should limit the consumption of caffeine like tea, soda, coffee, energy drinks, etc., as caffeine can stimulate the nervous system and may worsen tinnitus.
- Make a habit of waiting consistently for the whole day. One should not stay without eating for 4 hours. Limit alcohol consumption as this may reduce the chances of migraines.
- Get 8 hours of sleep, which helps the body to relax completely.
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A person should quit tobacco or smoking as it narrows the blood vessels and affects circulation, that may result in Ménière's disease.
Special Advise
It is advised to consume low sodium-containing foods as sodium may cause fluid retention and can worsen the symptoms in the inner ear.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Meniere’s disease: It is a medical condition that affects the inner part o the ear. This disease usually happens when an abnormal amount of fluid gets accumulated in the inner ear due to improper fluid drainage, abnormal immune response, viral infection, and genetic predisposition. Common signs and symptoms of this disease include vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and feeling of fullness in the ear.
Hearing loss: It may start or stop by itself. If proper treatment is not provided at the right time, then it may even cause permanent hearing loss.
Vertigo: In this condition, a person experiences the false sensation of spinning or movement of objects that start and stop spontaneously. Episodes of vertigo last for 20 minutes to many hours but not more than a day.
Tinnitus: A person experience feelings of ringing, buzzing, whistling sound in the ear. People dealing with this disease often feel pressure in an affected ear.
FAQs
This medicine may take a couple of weeks to show any noticeable improvement. Even if a person starts feeling better, they still need to take this medicine and should not stop it without asking the doctor.
Although a person can consume alcohol while taking Betahistine, but still alcohol may worsen the side effects of medicine so one should avoid taking it.
A person taking Betahistine is allowed to take any food or drink, but still, it is better to eat a low-salt diet and avoid caffeine products that will help the medicine to work more effectively.
Yes, Betahistine is a histamine analogue that works by improving the effect of histamine in the inner ear. At the same time, antihistamines are the drugs that work by stopping the action of histamine in the body and are prescribed for relieving the symptoms of allergy.
You will need to take beta-histamine for a long time to avoid symptoms of Ménière's disease. You will need to take a few months.
Betahistine consists of lactose monohydrate, so a person having galactose tolerance should avoid taking this medicine. Thus, if a person is intolerant to galactose should tell their doctor so that their doctor will not advise this medicine to them.
There is no clear evidence to suggest that taking betahistine would decrease fertility in both men and women. However, if you are trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking it.
