Active ingredient
- betahistine dihydrochloride
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 20075/0315.
Betahistine dihydrochloride 8 and 16 mg tablets
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Betahistine dihydrochloride 8 mg tablets
Betahistine dihydrochloride 16 mg tablets
Betahistine dihydrochloride
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it containts important information for you.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
3. How to take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets is and what it is used for
Betahistine is a histamine analogue medicine that is used to treat symptoms of Ménière’s syndrome such as dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), loss of hearing and nausea.
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 dihydrochloride tablets
Do not take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets:
Warning and precautions
If you suffer from any of the above conditions, consult your doctor about whether you may take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets.
These groups of patients should be monitored by a doctor during treatment.
Other medicines and Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
An interaction means that the medicines or substances can affect the way each other works or the side effects when both are being taken at the same time.
So far no interactions of betahistine with other medicines have been observed.
It is possible that betahistine may influence the effect of antihistamines. Antihistamines are medicines that are used in particular for the treatment of allergies such as hay fever and for car sickness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are using antihistamines (medicines against allergies) at the same time.
Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)- used to treat depression or Parkinson’s disease may increase the exposure of Betahistine dihydrochloride tablet.
Inform your doctor or your pharmacist if you are using (or have recently used) other medicines. This also applies for other medicines that are available without prescription.
Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets with food and drink
You can take Betahistine with or after food.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
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 dihydrochloride tablets are not likely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machinery. However, remember that diseases for which you are being treated with Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets (vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Meniere’s syndrome) can make you feel dizzy or be sick, and can affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets contains lactose monohydrate
This medicine contains 50 mg lactose monohydrate for 8 mg strength and 100 mg lactose monohydrate for 16 mg strength. Patients with rare hereditary abnormalities of galactose tolerance, individuals with Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not use this medication. Tell your doctor if you know you have a sugar intolerance.
3. How to take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
Always take Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets are not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of ages, as there are no data on efficacity and safety in these age groups.
The usual dose is:
Adults
The usual starting dose is one to two 8 mg tablets or a half to one 16 mg tablet three times a day. The maintenance dose is usually in the range 24-48 mg daily.
It may take a couple of weeks before you notice any improvement.
How to use
Swallow the tablets with water .Take the tablet with or afterfood. . Take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Initial oral treatment is 8 to 16 mg three times daily, taken preferably with meals.
Maintenance doses are generally in the range 24 - 48 mg daily. Daily dose should not exceed 48 mg. Dosage can be adjusted to suit individual patient needs. Sometimes improvement could be observed only after a couple of weeks of treatment.
There is no data available for patients with hepatic impairment.
There is no data available for patients with renal impairment.
There is limited data in the elderly, betahistine should be used with caution in this population.
Use in children and adolescents (6 to 18 years old)
Not recommended for use in children and adolescents below age 18 due to lack of data on safety and efficacy.
If you take more betahistine dihydrochloride tablets than you should
If you have taken more than the prescribed dose, consult your doctor.
The symptoms of a betahistine dihydrochloride tablets overdose are nausea, vomiting, digestion problems, coordination problems and – with higher doses – fits.
If you forget to take betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
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 dihydrochloride tablets
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may occur:
The following serious side effects may occur during treatment with Betahistine:
If any of these side effects occur you should stop treatment immediately and contact your doctor.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Headache, occasional drowsiness, nausea, indigestion, mild gastric complaints such as vomiting, stomach pain and bloating. Taking Betahistine with food can help reduce any stomach problems.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Itching, rash, hives, abnormal heart beat (palpitations), bronchospasms may occur in patients with bronchial asthma
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
For UK- You can also report side effects directly via the via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
For Ireland -You can also report side effects directly via
5. How to store Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets contains
The active substance is betahistine dihydrochloride.
Each tablet contains 8 mg or 16 mg betahistine dihydrochloride.
The tablets contain the following non-active ingredients:
Lactose monohydrate, povidone K25, anhydrous citric acid Maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose , crospovidone , hydrogenated vegetable oil
What Betahistine dihydrochloride tablets look like and contents of the pack
Betahistine dihydrochloride 8 mg tablets
This medicinal product is presented as white, round, flat tablets with bevelled edges with the inscription ‘BE’ on one side and a breakline on the other side.
The score line is only to facilitate breaking for ease of swallowing and not to divide into equal doses.
Betahistine dihydrochloride 16 mg tablets
This medicinal product is presented as white, round, flat tablets with bevelled edges with the inscription ‘BF’ on one side and a breakline on the other side.
The tablet can be divide into two equal halves.
For 8mg the tablets are packaged in blister strips (PVC/PVdC-aluminium).
Pack size of 14, 20, 30, 50, 60, 84, 90 and 120 tablets.
For 16mg the tablets are packaged in blister strips (PVC/PVdC-aluminium)
Pack size of 14, 20, 30, 60, 84, 90 and 120 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
This medicinal product is authorised in the member states of the EEA under the following names.
Country Proposed invented name
NL Betahistine 2HCL Accord 8 / 16 mg Tabletten
FR Betahistine Accord 8 mg Comprimes
IE Betahistine dihydrochloride 8/16mg Tablets
IT Betahistine dihydrochloride Accord Healthcare 8 / 16 mg Compresse
PL Betahistine dihydrochloride Accord
UK Betahistine dihydrochloride 8/16 mg Tablets
This leaflet was last revised in 12/2019.
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