From the Research
Vertin, also known as betahistine, is typically prescribed for vertigo and Meniere's disease at a dosage of 72-864 mg/day, with a mean dosage of 204.9 mg/day, as evidenced by a study that combined betahistine with the MAO-B inhibitor selegiline 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The dosage of betahistine can be reduced to about one tenth when combined with selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor, to achieve the same treatment response 1.
- The initial dosage for the long-term "titration" of the attacks of vertigo was 9-80 24-mg tablets/day, i.e., 216-1920 mg/day, but was reduced to 3-36 24-mg tablets, i.e., 72-864 mg/day, after combination with selegiline 1.
- Betahistine works by improving blood flow in the inner ear and regulating histamine activity, which helps reduce vertigo symptoms 2.
- Treatment duration varies depending on symptom improvement, but often continues for several months, with some patients requiring long-term therapy.
- Betahistine is generally well-tolerated, though some patients may experience mild side effects like headache, nausea, or indigestion.
Important Considerations
- If symptoms don't improve after 2-3 weeks of treatment, or if side effects are troublesome, patients should consult their healthcare provider for possible dosage adjustment or alternative treatment options.
- The combination of betahistine with selegiline may be an alternative to high-dosage monotherapy with betahistine for Meniere's disease, as it can achieve the same clinical effect with a significantly lower dosage of betahistine 1.