Betaserc (Betahistine)

[bulldog]

good day folks,

a question for the vast knowledge base here - i have had bi-lateral tinnitus for 20 months now and just last week saw an inner ear specialist who administered a number of audiometric tests on me, including air pressure tests on my inner ears. it was his conclusion that my inner ears (both) were not functioning normally (40-50%) and he suggested i try betaserc 24mg (twice daily) for 4-6 weeks to help normalize them. based on his tests, he felt that i was a reasonable candidate for potential improvement to my tinnitus with this drug. i have no dizziness or balance issues.

2 questions:

- has anybody on this forum experienced improvement with their tinnitus with this drug?
- has anybody had worsening symptoms (or worsening tinnitus) with serc?

i am curious as to what others have experienced before i start taking this stuff.

many thx in advance,

BD

 

[adam2525]

Hi BD,

I tried serc a few years ago. There was no change in my tinnitus either way. I don't think tinnitus is a side effect of Betaserc.

Adam

 

[just1morething]

Bulldog, I did a reply on another post today for serc. I tried it 2 times for T and both times it gave me upset stomach. Also read someplace that it doesn't have a good track record for helping T. I think it is mainly for Meniere's.

 

[carlover]

I have tried serc ,when I first got it ,and 2 years ago.

I thinks its a good fob off tick the box tablet.

Its for meniers.

 

[Aisling]

Bulldog did he find anything wrong with the air pressure in your ears? I've been trying serc with no difference good or bad yet. It's just that I feel like there is something wrong with the air pressure in my ears. So maybe I should keep going with the serc if he said 4-6 weeks

 

[Louise]

I have tried serc ,when I first got it ,and 2 years ago.

I thinks its a good fob off tick the box tablet.

Its for meniers.

I love you Pete, you've tried EVERYTHING!!

And, you're not scared to call it as you see it

 

[Juri]

Hey there, I guess I'm a sort of unlucky person who had my symptoms(t, vertigo) worsened by this drug. I stopped after 2 doses, I'm not sure if it was wise to do so.

 

[TJPositive]

Hey there, I guess I'm a sort of unlucky person who had my symptoms(t, vertigo) worsened by this drug. I stopped after 2 doses, I'm not sure if it was wise to do so.

Hi there Juri, or anyone else that's had experience with this drug for that matter. It's been awhile since anyone has posted in this thread I see, won't be making a new one, hopefully I'll still be able to get some answers.

One thing I'd like to direct a Juri in particular; when you say this drug increased your tinnitus, do you mean while you were taking it and it has since returned back to normal or has it permanently increased?

Recently this drug was suggested to me by a chemist. Well, my mum actually brought back some papers given to her by the chemist which briefly went over what it's prescribed for, possible side effects and general information about it. I didn't really like the idea of going on medication at first, considering I had/have been dealing with my T fairly well, but just before I was reminded what a hellish experience T can be when it seemingly increases in volume whether it be psychological or physical. Seeing as the opportunity to potentially cure my T still stands (even if this drug doesn't have a good history with tinnitus sufferers) I feel it's worth a try, though I am worried about the side effects, mainly insomnia, even thought that's no guarantee. A little paranoia on my behalf maybe.. but down to the point, has this drug been known to help any tinnitus sufferers? Is it even worth trying? I'm on the fence.

 

[Markku]

@TJPositive

It is mainly for Meniere's. For some reason lots of doctors in Finland prescribe betaserc if a patient comes in complaining about tinnitus. Its effect on tinnitus is negligible.

I have almost never (Juri's experience was probably the first I've read about) heard of it being able to worsen tinnitus. And if it does, it should be temporary; I don't think it's regarded as ototoxic.

Unfortunately, positive effects are just as rare.

I couldn't find many studies exploring its effect on (noise-induced) tinnitus, but one is here: http://www.pafmj.org/showdetails.php?id=323&t=o

Result:
No statistically significant difference was noted in the loudness of tinnitus, between the two groups from the start of treatment till the complication of therapy.
Conclusion:
It is concluded that Betahistine hydrochloride is 'not' better than a placebo in its efficacy for the treatment of tinnitus due to NIHL.

Will it do you harm? Unlikely.
Will it help you? Unlikely.

 

[TJPositive]

@Markku

Thanks for that. I won't be trying it then unless I become really desperate, which I think is unlikely.

 

[Owch]

I have recently stopped taking it after a few months

At the start I was prescribed 1 x 24mg tablet to take in the morning - this was at my instigation after hearing it was prescribed to another tinnitus sufferer and my GP said they probably wouldn't help but why not try anyway. I asked for a box of 8mg tablets instead of 24mg ones on the prescription and tried taking three of them in one go (ie. the 24mg prescription) once a day for a few days. The result was the first migrane headache that I have ever experienced in my life and my response was stupidly to take a 1g paracetomol tablet (before I knew they were ototoxic) with the further result that my inner ears felt like they were on fire for 24 hours and I was completely confined to my bed. It's possible that the betaserc was not responsible for this as I also lost control of myself and ate a 100g bar of chocolate (I was eating a lot of chocolate when the tinnitus started and had avoided it since then) the same day that I started the Betaserc, so that might have been responsible instead

After that I waited a few weeks and started again taking first 1 * 8mg tablet per day and then building it up to the 24mg but split between three 8mg tablets and taken over the course of the day

I stopped taking it last week because it didn't do any obvious good for me over the period, and when I asked the doctor I was taking LLLT therapy from about them he said "don't bother"

 

[Amelia]

I've started taking serc today (understanding that it's probably not going to do a damn thing) but for others who have taken this, did you stop taking any vitamins you were also taking?

I take vitB3 (niacin), vitB12, and zinc.

Wondering if they will react with the serc

 

[yonkapin]

Keep us updated, I have some Serc sitting in the house that I was prescribed but never ended up taking - would be interested to see how it goes. From what little research I did, I don't remember reading anything about any interactions with vitamins.

 

[Markku]

I've started taking serc today (understanding that it's probably not going to do a damn thing) but for others who have taken this, did you stop taking any vitamins you were also taking?

I take vitB3 (niacin), vitB12, and zinc.

Wondering if they will react with the serc

I don't think betahistamine (betaserc) has any interactions with the vitamin Bs nor zinc.

Zinc does have some interactions with certain drugs, read more here.

Vitamin B3 interactions you can find here.

Vitamin B12 interactions you can find here.

None of the above mention betahistine.

The following medicines may interact with Betahistine dihydrochloride:

• selegiline

The following types of medicine may interact with Betahistine dihydrochloride:

• antihistamines
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors

If you are taking Betahistine dihydrochloride and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

(Source)

 

[Amelia]

Keep us updated, I have some Serc sitting in the house that I was prescribed but never ended up taking - would be interested to see how it goes. From what little research I did, I don't remember reading anything about any interactions with vitamins.

I'll keep you all informed ... I've only had 2 doses so far and all I've got is a monster headache.

 

[birdy]

My tinnitus started when I quit ativan used for cancer treatment. I found these great tinnitus maskers that really work. I am getting some serc now. I hope it works. My left ear not only has Tinnitus but also ear pain and pressure. This is related to the benzo for sure. Does anyone take a benzo or gabapentin here. That may be the cause too.

 

[birdy]

Also people cutting back on alcohol get get Tinnitus too. Lot's of this can be GABA related.

 

[cmurem]

It is mostly known for its ridiculus product information in which it's thought to be beneficial for sensorineural hearing loss also, like for other indications. Even though it is prevalently prescribed for tinnitus, an ENT said me that it is "worse than a placebo." .

 

[Valentin]

My tinnitus started when I quit ativan used for cancer treatment. I found these great tinnitus maskers that really work. I am getting some serc now. I hope it works. My left ear not only has Tinnitus but also ear pain and pressure. This is related to the benzo for sure. Does anyone take a benzo or gabapentin here. That may be the cause too.

why would ativan be used as a cancer treatment?

 

[nogood]

betahistine (vertin) ... I am also given the same.. been on it for 8 days now.. I am not sure its helping me..T is still loud when I wake up..

 

[nogood]

I doubt I have meniere's or cohlear Hydrops. .
There are tests to determine cohlear Hydrops...
As far meniere's my hearing loss is in higher frequency. . Which is opposite of classic meniere's syndrome..
As of now I am off all prescription medications. .
Using melatonin to sleep
Serrapeptase to help with mucus and sinusitis trouble. .
Lipo flavonoid 3 tablets a day..(no noticeable difference for me)

 

[undecided]

Well, increasing the dosage might give the user adverse side effects, adding more suffering.
Betahistine is not very well tolerated by some people, stomach issues mostly (i didn't have any).

But I see your point, if I was not coping very well with the T, I'd give it a try.

 

[loosse up]

I was introduced to this fellow today who has meniere's disease. Tinnitus goes along with meniere's, he said his tinnitus went away with Serc (betahistine). States that he has no T since he started the Serc. By the sounds of it here my excitement is pre-mature. He was so adamant.

 

[MattL]

I take it. It doesn't really help my tinnitus much, but i sense a decrease in vertigo attacks.

 

[undecided]

I've tried up to 3x48mg daily, for the heck of it.
No change whatsoever.

 

[S.withnell]

hi all ,
I've been given Betahistinw tablets to help with my dizzy/vertigo spells as the doctor thinks I've got some form of menieres. But I know nothing about these tablets and I'm in a high dose.

I want to know are the ototoxic and have any one here taken them or use them and how that they helped with t? I don't want to make my t any more worst and I'm very reluctant to take any meds without knowing more about it from people who take it. I don't go off the doctors all the time as they have been wrong in the past.

Thank you

 

[Amelia]

Just seen this pop back up and realise I didn't come back to update my serc experience ... Big surprise but it didn't do a damn thing!

 

[Tacio Naja]

I have taken SERC for 3 years. 3 x 8mg/ day. I helps the vertigos (I suffer from menieres) and the tinnitus is lower.

 

[1MW]

To me has the same effect as placebo.

 

[linearb]

serc is not available in the US, but it's also not controlled at all, which means it's completely legal (and easy) to import from the UK.

I did not notice any effect whatsoever from taking using doses of serc a few times.