Q. When should I stop taking Betahistine?
Do not stop taking Betahistine until you are asked by your doctor to do so. Keep taking it for as long as your doctor has asked you to. You may need to take Betahistine up to 6 months or more.
Q. How is Betahistine different from flunarizine?
Betahistine is a histamine analog used to treat vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière's syndrome while flunarizine is a calcium entry blocker used for preventing the attack of a migraine. However, Betahistine is also useful in the treatment of a migraine associated vertigo and flunarizine are also useful in treating Meniere's diseases associated vertigo.
Q. Can I use Betahistine for the treatment of benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?
Betahistine is seen to be useful in the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo when used along with physical maneuver. Patients using this combined treatment have better outcomes with a long term relief. Also, the use of Betahistine alone is seen to be beneficial in patients who are unfit or are unable to do the physical maneuvers.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with paracetamol?
There is no known interaction between Betahistine and paracetamol. However, it may exist. Always consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Is Betahistine addictive?
No, addictive potential has not been reported with Betahistine.
Q. Is Betahistine good for dizziness?
Betahistine is not indicated for use in dizziness. It is only indicated for the relief of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ear) and hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease (a condition caused by the pressure of excess fluid in the ear). You should follow the advice of a physician or doctor before using Betahistine.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with propranolol?
Betahistine and propranolol can be taken together. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are taken together.
Q. Does Betahistine make you sleepy?
Betahistine does not make you sleepy. In case you are very sleepy while taking Betahistine, please consult your doctor.
Q. Is Betahistine available over the counter?
No, Betahistine is not an over the counter medicine. It is available with doctor's prescription only.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with prochlorperazine?
There is no known interaction between Betahistine and prochlorperazine. However, it may exist. Always consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Does Betahistine increase blood pressure?
Betahistine has not shown to cause an increase in blood pressure. In case you experience any change in your blood pressure while taking Betahistine, please consult your doctor.
Q. Why is Betahistine contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma?
Pheochromocytoma is adrenal gland tumor and it causes excessive release of hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that control heart rate, metabolism, and blood pressure. Betahistine may provoke the release of hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine from the site of the tumor and cause a hypertensive crisis which can be life threatening.
Q. When should I stop taking Betahistine?
Do not stop taking Betahistine until you are asked by your doctor to do so. Keep taking it for as long as your doctor has asked you to. You may need to take Betahistine up to 6 months or more.
Q. Can I use Betahistine for motion sickness?
No, Betahistine is not indicated for the treatment of motion sickness as the present clinical data has not proven its efficacy. Consult your doctor for the treatment of motion sickness.
Q. Is Betahistine useful in the treatment of anxiety?
No, Betahistine is not indicated for the treatment of anxiety. It is indicated for the treatment of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière's syndrome
Q. Would Betahistine be useful for treating an ear infection?
No, Betahistine is not indicated for the treatment of ear infection as it has no antibiotic action. It is a histamine analog indicated for decreasing the episodes of recurrent vertigo associated with Ménière’s disease.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with propranolol?
Betahistine and propranolol can be taken together. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are taken together.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with antibiotics?
Betahistine and antibiotics can be taken together. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are taken together.
Q. Is Betahistine an antihistamine?
No, Betahistine is not an antihistamine. It has a histamine-like action which helps in improving blood flow in the inner ear and decreases vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and nausea.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with antihistamine medicines?
Betahistine should not be taken with antihistamine medicines like dimenhydrinate as Betahistine has histamine like action and using the two medicines together may lower the efficacy of either of them.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with ibuprofen?
There is no known interaction between Betahistine and ibuprofen. However, it may exist. Always consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Does Betahistine cause weight gain?
Betahistine has not shown to cause weight gain. In case you experience any abnormal weight gain while taking Betahistine, please consult your doctor.
Q. Is Betahistine safe?
Betahistine is safe if used for a prescribed duration in doses as prescribed by your physician.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with vitamin d?
Betahistine and vitamin D can be taken together. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are taken together.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with cetirizine?
Betahistine should not be taken with cetirizine as it has antihistamine action and Betahistine has histamine like action and using the two medicines together may lower the efficacy of either of them.
Q. Can I use Betahistine for nausea?
Betahistine is useful in the treatment of nausea and vertigo associated with an underlying ear disease like Meniere's disease. It is also seen to be useful in vertigo associated with a migraine.
Q. Would Betahistine be useful for treating labyrinthitis?
Betahistine does not treat labyrinthitis, however, it is useful in relieving the symptoms associated with this disease which includes dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Q. When does Betahistine start working?
The maximum level of Betahistine is achieved within one hour of oral intake. However, you would start to feel relief in your symptoms before that.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with cinnarizine?
The use of Betahistine, a partial histamine receptor analog should be avoided along with cinnarizine, an antihistamine. Besides concomitant multiple drug use for the same disease is not advisable.
Q. How long can I take Betahistine for?
Betahistine should be taken for a prescribed duration in a prescribed dose as advised by the doctor.
Q. Is Betahistine safe in pregnancy?
Betahistine should not be taken during pregnancy until prescribed by your doctor as absolutely necessary. Limited animal and human data are available on the effects of Betahistine in pregnancy.
Q. Does Betahistine make you lose weight?
Betahistine has not shown to cause weight loss. In case you experience any abnormal weight loss while taking Betahistine, please consult your doctor.
Q. Does Betahistine cause headache?
Yes, headache is a commonly reported undesirable effect of Betahistine. Please consult your doctor in case you experience a headache while taking Betahistine.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with warfarin?
Betahistine and warfarin can be taken together. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are taken together.
Q. Is Betahistine a steroid?
No, Betahistine is not a steroid.
Q. Can I take Betahistine with amitriptyline?
Betahistine has not been studied with amitriptyline, so no record of any interactions is available. However, it may exist. Always consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Does Betahistine cause drowsiness?
Betahistine has not been reported to cause drowsiness. In case you experience drowsiness while taking Betahistine, please consult your doctor.
Q. Is Betahistine safe in lactation or breastfeeding?
Lactation or breastfeeding should not be done if you are taking Betahistine unless told by your doctor as it is not known if Betahistine is secreted into breast milk or not.
