Are Betavert (betahistine) and Vertin (betahistine) the same?

Betavert and Vertin: Same Medication with Different Brand Names

Yes, Betavert and Vertin are the same medication - both are brand names for betahistine, which is used primarily for vertigo management in conditions like Ménière's disease. 1

Pharmacological Profile

• Betahistine is a weak histamine H1 receptor agonist and a more potent histamine H3 receptor antagonist 2
• The standard dosage for vertigo treatment is 48 mg daily, typically divided into three doses 1
• Treatment duration should be at least 3 months to properly evaluate efficacy 1

Clinical Efficacy

• The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery does not make a definitive recommendation for betahistine use in controlling Ménière's disease symptoms due to conflicting evidence 1, 3
• The BEMED trial, considered high-quality evidence, showed no significant difference between betahistine (at both standard 48 mg/day and high 144 mg/day doses) and placebo in reducing vertigo attacks over a 9-month treatment period 4, 3
• Betahistine shows maximum benefit in different types of peripheral vertigo, particularly in Ménière's disease when used at 48 mg daily for 3 months 5

Safety Profile and Precautions

• Common side effects include headache, balance disorder, nausea, nasopharyngitis, feeling hot, eye irritation, palpitations, and upper gastrointestinal symptoms 3, 1
• Betahistine is completely contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma 6, 1
• The medication should be used with caution in patients with asthma and history of peptic ulcer disease 3, 6

Monitoring and Treatment Duration

• Patients should be reassessed regularly for symptom improvement and to monitor for medication intolerance or side effects 3, 1
• Most betahistine studies covered only a 2-12 week treatment period, though the BEMED trial extended to 9 months 3
• If there is no improvement in vertigo symptoms after 6-9 months of treatment, continued betahistine therapy is unlikely to be beneficial 1

Alternative Treatments for Acute Vertigo

• For acute vertigo episodes, medications with direct antiemetic and anti-vertigo effects like prochlorperazine are preferred over betahistine 4
• Prochlorperazine is more effective for immediate symptom control during acute vertigo attacks 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Continuing betahistine indefinitely without reassessing its effectiveness 4, 1
• Not considering the potential contraindications, particularly in patients with pheochromocytoma 6
• Failing to distinguish between different causes of vertigo which may respond differently to treatment 4