Patient leaflet - BETAHISTINE 16 MG TABLETS
Betahistine 8 mg tablets
betahistine dihydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
-
– Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
-
– If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
-
– This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
-
– If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
-
1. What Betahistine is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before you take Betahistine
-
3. How to take Betahistine
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Betahistine
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. what betahistine is and what it is used for
Betahistine is a type of medicine called a “histamine analogue”.
Betahistine is used for:
Meniere’s disease – the signs of this include:
- feeling dizzy (vertigo)
- ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- hearing loss or hearing difficulty
How this medicine works
This medicine works by improving blood flow in the inner ear. This lowers the build up of pressure.
2. what you need to know before you take betahistine
Do not take Betahistine
- if you are allergic to betahistine or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have a pheochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal gland
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Betahistine.
- if you have or have had a stomach ulcer (peptic ulcer)
- if you have asthma
- if you have nettle rash, skin rash or a cold in the nose caused by an allergy, since these complaints may be exacerbated.
- if you have low blood pressure
- Betahistine dihydrochloride is not the appropriate treatment for the following forms of vertigo:
- attacks of benign positional vertigo,
- dizziness related to a disease of the central nervous system.
- if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you are breast-feeding
If you suffer from any of the above conditions, consult your doctor about whether you may take Betahistine tablets.
These groups of patients should be monitored by a doctor during treatment.
Use in Children and adolescents
Betahistine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 18 years of age)
Other medicines and Bethisitine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Anti-histamines – This is because in theory betahistine may not work properly. Also, betahistine may lower the effect of anti-histamines.
Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease. These may increase the exposure of betahistine.
If any of the above apply to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Betahistine.
Taking Betahistine with food and drink
Betahistine can be taken with or without food. However, Betahistine can cause mild stomach problems (listed in section 4). Taking betahistine with food can help reduce stomach problems.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
It is not known whether betahistine dihydrochloride affects the unborn child.
Do not take betahistine dihydrochloride tablets if you are pregnant unless your doctor has decided that it is absolutely necessary. Ask your doctor for advice.
Do not breast-feed while using betahistine dihydrochloride tablets unless instructed by your doctor. It is not known if betahistine passes into breast milk.
Driving and using machines
Betahistine is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machinery.
However, remember that the disease for which you are being treated with Betahistine (Meniere’s disease) can make you feel dizzy or sick, and can affect your ability to drive and use machines.
3. how to take betahistine
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Your doctor will adjust your dose, depending on your progress.
- Keep taking your medicine. The medicine can take a while to start to work.
How to take Betahistine
- Swallow the tablets with water.
- Take the tablet with or after a meal. However, Betahistine can cause mild stomach problems (listed in Section 4). Taking Betahistine with food can help reduce stomach problems.
How much Betahistine to take
Always follow your doctor’s instructions because your doctor might adjust your dose.
The recommended dose is:
Adults
The recommended dose is 24 mg to 48 mg per day. 8 mg tablets: one or two tablets three times a day.
-
16 mg tablets: half or one tablet three times a day. 24 mg tablets: 1 tablet two times per day. This form of the medication is used when you need 48 mg of betahistine per day.
Dosage
Daily dose should not exceed 48 mg.
In some cases, improvement does not begin to become apparent until two weeks after starting treatment.
The optimal result is obtained after several months of treatment.
If you take more than one tablet each day, spread your tablets evenly over the day. For example, take one tablet in the morning, one at midday and one in the evening.
Try to take your tablet at the same time each day. This will make sure that there is a steady amount of the medicine in your body. Taking at the same time will also help you remember to take your tablets. Betahistine is not recommended for use in children.
If you take more Betahistine than you should
If you or someone else takes too many Betahistine tablets (an overdose), you may feel sick (nauseous),
sleepy or have stomach pain. It can also appear, acceleration of the heartbeat (tachycardia), low blood pressure (hypotension), shortness of breath with a feeling of suffocation (bronchospasm), accumulation of fluids in the tissues (edema). Seizures can occur after taking very high doses.
Symptomatic treatment is recommended as there is no specific antidote.
Talk to a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Take the Betahistine pack with you.
If you forget to take Betahistine
Wait until you have to take your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Betahistine
Keep taking your tablets until your doctor tells you to stop. Even when you start feeling better, your doctor may want you to carry on taking the tablets for some time to make sure that the medicine has worked completely.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Very few adverse effects have been reported with betahistine.
The following serious side effects may occur during treatment with Betahistine:
Allergic reactions :
- a red or lumpy skin rash or inflamed itchy skin
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue or neck
- a drop in your blood pressure
- loss of consciousness
- difficulty breathing
If any of these side effects occur you should stop treatment immediately and contact your doctor.
Other side effects include:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- feeling sick (nausea)
- indigestion (dyspepsia)
- headache.
The following undesirable effects have been reported spontaneously during post-marketing use and in scientific literature. A frequency cannot be estimated from the available data and is therefore classified as “not known”
Blood and lymphatic system disorders Not known: Thrombocytopenia.
Immune system disorders:
Not known: hypersensitivity reactions, e.g. anaphylaxis.
Other side effects that have been reported with the use of betahistine
Mild stomach problems such as being sick (gastralgia, vomiting), stomach pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, stomach swelling (abdominal distension) and bloating. Taking betahistine with food can help reduce stomach problems.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Not known: cutaneous and subcutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, in particular angioneurotic oedema, urticarial, rash, and pruritus.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Malta
ADR Reporting
The Medicines Authority
Post-Licensing Directorate
203 Level 3, Rue D’Argens
GZR-1368 Gzira
Website: e-mail:
The United Kingdom
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
5. how to store betahistine
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton, bottle after (EXP).The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other informationwhat betahistine contains- the active substance is betahistine dihydrochloride. each tablet contains 8 mg betahistine dihydrochloride. each tablet contains 16 mg betahistine dihydrochloride.
Each tablet contains 24 mg betahistine dihydrochloride.
-
– The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, povidone, crospovidone, citric acid anhydrous, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc and stearic acid.
What Betahistine looks like and the contents of the pack
Tablet.
Betahistine 8 mg tablets
White to off-white round, flat uncoated tablets debossed with ‘X’ on one side and ‘87’ on the other side.
Betahistine 16 mg tablets
White to off-white round uncoated tablets debossed with ‘X’ and a break line on one side and ‘88’ on the other side.
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Betahistine 24 mg tablets
White to off-white round uncoated tablets debossed with ‘X’ and a break line on one side and ‘89’ on the other side.
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Betahistine Tablets are available in:
Blisters of Polyamide/ Aluminium/ PVC/ Aluminium:
8 mg: 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 84, 90, 100 & 120 tablets
16 mg: 10, 20, 30, 60, 84 & 90 tablets
24 mg: 10, 20, 30, 50, 60 & 90 tablets
White opaque round HDPE bottle with polypropylene closure containing cotton coil: 30 and 1000 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed
Marketing Authorisation Holder
UK_ Milpharm Limited
Ares Block, Odyssey Business Park
West End Road
Ruislip HA4 6QD
United Kingdom
MT_ Aurobindo Pharma (Malta) Limited
Vault 14, Level 2, Valletta Waterfront Floriana FRN 1913
Malta
Manufacturer
APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited
HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far
Birzebbugia, BBG 3000
Malta
or
Milpharm Limited
Ares Block, Odyssey Business Park
West End Road
Ruislip HA4 6QD
United Kingdom
This leaflet was last approved in 01/2022.