Betahistine

Uses

Precaution

Side Effects

Handling

For more information

Uses

What is Betahistine for?

Betahistine is used to treat vertigo (dizzy spells), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), hearing loss, nausea or vomiting associated with Meniere disease or vertigo due to inner ear problem. There are two types of salt formulated for betahistine namely mesilate and dihydrochloride

How should I take or use Betahistine?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
You may take this medication with or after food.
Follow the instructions on the medication label and take this medication as prescribed by your doctor

What should I do if I forget to take or use Betahistine?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

Do not take double the dose for any missed dose if you are taking this medication as and when needed.

Precaution

What precautions should I take when taking or using Betahistine?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
You are taking any other medications including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
Medical conditions such as heart or liver disease, peptic ulcer, pheochromocytoma (tumour on the adrenal gland) or asthma

Side Effects

What are some common side effects of Betahistine?

Nausea

Take with or after food to reduce the symptom

Headache
Stomach discomfort such as indigestion

Handling

How should I store Betahistine?

Keep away from children
Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

For more information

What else should I know about Betahistine?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity, and Watsons), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.