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Betahistine

Sounds like 'Bee-tah-hiss-teen', also knows as Serc®

Key points about betahistine

Betahistine is used to treat vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière’s disease.
Betahistine is also called Serc®.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Betahistine is thought to work by improving blood flow to your brain and affecting nerve cells in your inner ear. It's used to treat symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, ringing in your ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease.

It's unlikely to stop all these symptoms, but it may reduce how often they occur and their severity. Your healthcare provider may advise you to try betahistine for 6 to 12 months to see if it helps to reduce your symptoms.

The usual dose of betahistine is half a tablet (8 mg) or one tablet (16 mg) taken 3 times daily. Depending on your response, your healthcare provider may tell you to take a different dose.
Always take your betahistine exactly as your prescriber has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much betahistine to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

Take your betahistine tablets with a glass of water.
Timing: Take betahistine at the same times each day.
Food: It's best taken with or after food, to prevent stomach upset.
Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. If it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose.

Here are some things to know when you're taking betahistine. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Alcohol: Limit or avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking betahistine.
Other medicines: Betahistine interacts with some medications – including antihistamines which can be bought over the counter. It may interact with herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider before starting betahistine and before starting any new products.
Keep taking betahistine regularly: Keep taking betahistine every day. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks before you notice it's working. Betahistine helps to control Ménière’s disease but doesn’t cure it.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or want to breastfeed.

Like all medicines betahistine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Stomach upset Feeling sick (nausea) Gas in the stomach or bloating	These are quite common when you first start taking betahistine and often go away with time. Try taking betahistine with or after food.
Tiredness Feeling dizzy	These are common. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
Feeling faint when you stand up	This is common when you first start taking betahistine. Don't drink alcohol. Be careful when getting up from either lying down or sitting to avoid falls.
Headache Difficulty sleeping	Tell your doctor if these bother you.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rashes, itching, blisters, peeling skin, swelling of your face, lips, mouth or having problems breathing	Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.

Tinnitus
Meniere's disease

The following links have more information on betahistine.

(external link)Betahistine(external link) New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Serc(external link) Medsafe, Consumer Information, NZ