Information

Betahistine belongs to a group of medications used to treat vertigo associated with Meniere’s disease. Vertigo is a condition that causes sufferers to have a sensation of rotation or movement of themselves or their surroundings. Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo in addition to symptoms such as ringing in the ears, headache, and loss of hearing.

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Therapeutic Class

Anti-vertigo.

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Dose and Direction of Use

Can be taken with or without food.

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Mode of Action

Betahistine primarily acts as a histamine H1-agonist. Betahistine acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist which causes an increased output of histamine from histaminergic nerve endings which increase the direct H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism increases the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin in the brainstem, which inhibits the activity of vestibular nuclei, helping to restore proper balance and decrease in vertigo symptoms.

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Uses

Betahistine is indicated for treatment of Ménière's syndrome, symptoms of which may include vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss and nausea.

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Contraindications

• In patients with Phaeochromocytoma. As betahistine is a synthetic analogue of histamine it may induce the release of catecholamines from the tumor resulting in severe hypertension.
• Hypersensitivity

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Precautions and Warning

• Caution is advised in the treatment of patients with peptic ulcer or a history of peptic ulceration, because of the occasional dyspepsia encountered in patients on betahistine.
• Patients with bronchial asthma should be monitored carefully during the treatment with betahistine.
• Caution is advised in prescribing betahistine to patients with either urticaria, rashes or allergic rhinitis, because of the possibility of aggravating these symptoms.
• Caution is advised in patients with severe hypotension.

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