Betahistine

What is Betahistine?

Betahistine is a histamine analogue that treats Ménière’s disease (which affects balance). And , ahtough it’s not licensed for these, betahistine is also prescribed “off-label” for BPPV (a type of vertigo where the inside of your head feels like it’s spinning) and labyrinthitis (a type of ear inflammation that causes vertigo). Off-label prescribing simply means that the medication hasn’t been approved for a particular condition or for use in a specific way, but there’s still plenty of evidence that it can be effective and safe when used in that manner.

All these conditions are connected to problems within the inner ear. It’s still not exactly known what causes them, but it’s thought that they relate to issues with pressure and poor fluid drainage deep inside the ear. ^[1]

Symptoms usually happen all at once and can include dizziness, vertigo, feeling unsteady on your feet, ringing in the ear, nausea and even hearing loss. Betahistine is a medication you usually take three times a day. It should start to relieve these symptoms within the first couple of weeks of starting treatment, and you’ll normally take it for several months to make sure it works.

How does Betahistine work?

Betahistine is thought to work by increasing the blood flow to parts of the inner ear. This improves drainage in the inner ear and eliminates fluid build-up, which reduces the severity of your symptoms and the number of vertigo attacks you get.

What doses of Betahistine are there?

Betahistine is available in two doses of 8mg and 16mg. The dose you use will usually depend on how bad your symptoms are and how often you get them. But the maximum dosage you can take per day is 48mg.

How to take Betahistine

If you’re not sure about anything when taking this medication, ask our clinician or pharmacist for advice.

• You should take the tablets with water, just after a meal
• It’s best to take it with food to reduce the risk of stomach cramps.

How long does it take Betahistine to work?

Betahistine is absorbed very quickly and is almost completely absorbed by the body within an hour of taking a tablet. But it can take several weeks before your body fully adjusts to the medication, and you begin to feel the full benefits of taking it.

Your clinician may want you to continue taking the tablets for several months to ensure that the medication has worked fully, and your symptoms have cleared. ^[1]

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Betahistine?

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s within 2 hours of the next scheduled dosage. In this case skip the forgotten one and carry on as normal. Don’t take twice the amount to make up for a missed one.

If you take too much, seek medical attention. You should avoid driving if this happens because you may feel drowsy.