Experiences with
Betahistine

Betahistine is a medicine used to treat the symptoms of Ménière's disease.

These symptoms include:

feeling dizzy and a spinning sensation (vertigo)
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
loss of hearing
feeling sick (nausea)

The full name of this medicine is betahistine dihydrochloride.

It's thought to work by reducing build-up of fluid in the inner ear. This helps to reduce how often you get Ménière's disease symptoms and to make them milder.

It comes as tablets and is available on prescription only.

Who can take betahistine

Most adults aged 18 years and over can take betahistine.

Who may not be able to take betahistine

Betahistine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

ever had an allergic reaction to betahistine or any other medicine
high blood pressure due to an adrenal tumour
ever had a stomach ulcer (sometimes called peptic ulcer)
asthma

Dosage and strength

Betahistine comes as 8mg or 16mg tablets.

The usual starting dose is 16mg, taken 3 times a day.

Leave 6 to 8 hours between doses.

When your symptoms are under control, your doctor may reduce your dose to 8mg, taken 3 times a day.

How to take it

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

It's a good idea to take your betahistine tablets after a meal. It will be less likely to upset your stomach.

How long to take it for

You may need to take betahistine for a long time, such as several months or years, to prevent the symptoms of Ménière's disease.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose of betahistine skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking too much betahistine can make you feel sick or sleepy, or give you stomach ache.

you take more than your prescribed dose of betahistine

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the betahistine packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Common side effects

These common side effects of betahistine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They are usually mild and will stop by themselves. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Take betahistine with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food.

Take betahistine with or after food. If you get repeated indigestion, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you need something to ease the discomfort, try taking an antacid, but do not put off going to the doctor.

Try taking betahistine with or after food.

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. You can take an everyday painkiller like paracetamol. Talk to your doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to betahistine.

OLD Meds - Serious allergic reaction immediate care card (standard)

These are not all the side effects of betahistine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Betahistine and pregnancy

Betahistine is not often recommended during pregnancy because there is not much information on how it might affect your baby.

Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or trying for a baby as there may be other treatment options that are better for you.

However, your doctor may offer betahistine during pregnancy if you have Ménière's disease that cannot be treated in any other way.

Betahistine and breastfeeding

There is not any information about taking betahistine while breastfeeding, but it's likely it will get into breast milk. It is therefore recommended that you do not take this medicine while breastfeeding if possible.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist who can advise you on how to manage your symptoms, and if other medicines might be better.

If you do need to take betahistine while breastfeeding and you notice your baby is being sick or has diarrhoea, has a rash, seems lethargic, or is not feeding as well as usual, or you have any other concerns about your baby, contact your doctor, pharmacist, health visitor or midwife.

Betahistine and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking betahistine reduces fertility in either men or women.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you're trying to get pregnant.

Meds New IA (H2) - Pregnancy non-urgent care card

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines and betahistine affect each other and can increase your chance of side effects.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking:

medicines called MAO inhibitors, used to treat depression or Parkinson's disease
antihistamines for allergies such as hay fever

Mixing betahistine with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with betahistine. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

OLD Meds - Cautions with other medicines alert