| Download the amazing global Makindo app: Android | Apple | |
|---|---|
| MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational use only. Not for diagnosis or management. See below for full disclaimer. |
Betahistine (Serc)
📖 About
Always check the BNF link here.
- 💊 Used in the management of Meniere's disease and recurrent vertigo symptoms.
- 📌 Thought to improve inner ear circulation and reduce endolymphatic pressure.
- ⚠️ Sometimes considered overprescribed, as evidence for efficacy is mixed.
⚡ Mechanism of Action
- ✅ Partial agonist at H1 receptors in blood vessels of the inner ear → vasodilation and improved microcirculation.
- ⛔ Antagonist at H3 receptors → increases histamine turnover and release.
- ⬇️ Reduces endolymphatic pressure within the labyrinth, relieving vertigo symptoms.
🩺 Indications & Dosing (verify with BNF/datasheet)
- 🌪️ Meniere’s disease.
- 🎢 Vertigo and balance disorders.
- Maintenance dose: 16 mg TDS (24–48 mg daily, in divided doses).
💊 Dosing – Betahistine (verify with BNF/datasheet)
| Drug | Details |
|---|---|
| 💊 Betahistine |
• Dose: 8–16 mg
• Frequency: TDS • Route: PO |
🔄 Interactions
- See BNF – limited significant drug interactions reported.
- Theoretical interaction with antihistamines (may reduce efficacy).
⚠️ Cautions
- 🫁 Asthma – use with caution as it may cause bronchospasm in sensitive patients.
- 🩸 Peptic ulcer disease – can increase gastric acid secretion.
- 👵 Elderly patients – ensure clear diagnosis, as many causes of dizziness are not vestibular.
🚫 Contraindications
- ⚠️ Phaeochromocytoma – risk of hypertensive crisis due to catecholamine release.
💥 Side Effects
- 🧠 Headache, dizziness.
- 🤢 Dyspepsia, nausea, GI discomfort.
- 🌡️ Rash, pruritus, urticaria.
- ⚠️ Rare: hypersensitivity reactions, angioedema, anaphylaxis.
📑 References
- BNF: Betahistine
- NICE CKS: Vertigo & Balance Disorders
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
|
|
Categories
- A Level
- About
- Acute Medicine
- Anaesthetics and Critical Care
- Anatomy
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Book
- Cardiology
- Collections
- CompSci
- Crib Sheets
- Crib sheets
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Differentials
- Drugs
- ENT
- Education
- Electrocardiogram
- Embryology
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Ethics
- Foundation Doctors
- GCSE
- Gastroenterology
- General Practice
- Genetics
- Geriatric Medicine
- Guidelines
- Gynaecology
- Haematology
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Infographic
- Investigations
- Lists
- Mandatory Training
- Medical Students
- Microbiology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nutrition
- OSCE
- OSCEs
- Obstetrics
- Obstetrics Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Medicine and Dentistry
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Palliative
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Procedures
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Renal
- Respiratory
- Resuscitation
- Revision
- Rheumatology
- Statistics and Research
- Stroke
- Surgery
- Toxicology
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- USMLE
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery