Betahistine for Meniere's Disease

Meniere's disease is a disorder that can cause vertigo, a dizziness that can be incapacitating. Betahistine is a medication that is prescribed for the treatment of this medical condition.

Symptoms

• Meniere's disease can cause severe vertigo, hearing loss, ringing in the ear (most often just one ear is affected) and fullness and pressure in the affected ear. This disease is most common in people between 40 and 50 years of age.

Commonly Used Medications

• Some of the more commonly used medications in the treatment of Meniere's disease are motion sickness medications. These types of medications may help to reduce the nausea and vomiting that often accompany this condition. Diazepam is also used in the treatment of Meniere's disease, although this medication can be habit-forming.

Betahistine Hydrochloride

• Betahistine hydrochloride is a medication that is widely used outside of the United States in the treatment of Meniere's disease. This medication is available in the United States under strict conditions from a compounding pharmacy, with a doctor's prescription.

Benefits

• Betahistine is a vasodilator that causes the blood vessels to dilate and helps to increase the blood flow to the vestibular portion of the inner ear. This may be especially helpful for patients that have decreased circulation in conjunction with Meniere's disease.

Theories/Speculation

• Betahistine may be used in conjunction with antihistamine medications to help control the symptoms of Meniere's disease. Betahistine is not available for sale in the United States in branded form, however, it is legal for a compounding pharmacist to sell it in compounded form. A compounding pharmacist is someone who actually mixes chemical compounds to create the drug. Betahistine is prescribed for use in Australia, Europe, Canada and Mexico.