Re: Betashistine....a few questions????
Betahystamine Dihydrochloride (serc) is not used widely except in canada and europe.
It was developed as a drug to help regulate inner-ear fluid levels, hence could be of use in menieres. There are a number of people with menieres who swear by it, but no studies have ever proved it very effective (ie it performs little better than the placebo). For this reason it wasn't licensed in the US (that was the case a few years ago - it maybe different now).
It is a hystamine antagonist, and some docs (esp. in europe) believe it has somekind of suppressant effect and therefore prescribe it as alternative to other vestibular suppressants. There are also many docs (particularly GPs) who prescribe it because they they think if it works for menieres then it should work for other ear problems - which isn't the case (esp as we don't have much evidence it works for menieres- though I suspect it may work for a subset of menieres patients).
Bottom line is, either it's not too effective as a treatment for chronic dizziness or that if it does work then it's through a suppressent effect, and this could slowdown or interfere with any compensation process. Of course if your doctor suspects you have menieres (or secondary EH) then the first thing to try is the low sodium diet (which is currently the most effective treatment for mild/moderate cases of menieres, and usually brings attacks under control within a few weeks.)
Last edited by BennyGibb; 12-22-2004 at 11:59 AM.
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