Betahistine is a tablet used to treat symptoms of Ménière’s disease, an inner ear condition that can cause problems with balance and hearing. It’s a long-term treatment that helps relieve symptoms by increasing blood flow to the ears and reducing fluid buildup.
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Betahistine is a histamine analogue that treats Ménière’s disease (which affects balance), 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). 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.
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 ear. This increase in blood flow helps improve 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 comes in tablet doses of 8mg, 16mg and 24mg. 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.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Betahistine
If you’re not sure about anything when taking this medication, ask our clinician or pharmacist for advice.
The normal dose is one tablet three times a day
You should take the tablets with water, just after a meal
Continue to take the tablets for as long as prescribed even if you feel better
How long does it take Betahistine to work?
Betahistine is absorbed very quickly and is almost completely metabolized 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.
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.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Betahistine
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is Betahistine similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
There are other antihistamines that can treat BPPV, Ménière’s disease and labyrinthitis symptoms, including Cinnarizine and Cyclizine, which are also sedating but less likely to make you feel sleepy.
There’s also a branded form of Betahistine, called Serc. These both contain the same active ingredients in the same doses, so they should work in a very similar way. Which one you take is mostly up to you. Because it’s a generic treatment, Betahistine tablets are often cheaper than Serc tablets.
How is Betahistine different from other treatments?
Answer:
Betahistine is different to some other medications for BPPV, Ménière’s disease and labyrinthitis because it’s a histamine analogue. This might mean it’s better tolerated than some other treatments, such as Prochlorperazine, which also treats nausea and vomiting. Prochlorperazine is a type of treatment called a phenothiazine. It’s a buccal tablet you put under your lip, so the way you take it is a little different as well.
Diuretics such as Diamox and Ddyazine are also sometimes used for similar conditions, and are designed to remove excess fluid in the body, which helps reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo attacks.
Which version of Betahistine should I use?
Answer:
Our clinician will need to take into account your specific situation, but usually it’s 24 or 48mg in total for the day. That could be 3x8g tablets or 3x16mg tablets, or something in between.
How effective is Betahistine?
Answer:
It’s considered as a highly effective treatment against Ménière’s disease and similar conditions. Studies have shown that approximately 94% of physicians and 95% of patients consider the treatment to be good to excellent while a further 82-90% found it to be an excellent treatment against associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting and feeling faint.
Do I need a prescription for Betahistine?
Answer:
Yes. It’s a prescription only treatment and not suitable for everyone, so our clinician will need to check that it’s safe and suitable for you to use before you can get it.
Why should I buy Betahistine online with Treated?
Answer:
At Treated, we ensure you get the medication you need, when you need it, conveniently and discreetly packaged.
Once you’ve chatted to us about your symptoms, we’ll offer the best options for your condition.
Betahistine is a long-term treatment, and we want to make sure it works for you. So we’ll check in regularly to see how you’re going, and if you want to pause, change or cancel your subscription, just let us know and we’ll help you out.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
