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Betahistine Higher Dose.

Posted , 6 users are following.

Ali_is_my_name
Ali_is_my_name

Hi, I wan to increase my betahistine dose, normally I take 3 tab of 16mg a day but last week with ENT approval I have been taking 2 tabs of 16mg a day. I have started getting symptoms back and I decided to take 4 tabs of 16mg a day but it is making me more dizzy but no vertigo so far.

What is recommended way of taking higher dose? 4 tabs of 16mg a day or get GP to prescribe a higher dose but take only 3 times a day?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • tanney
    tanney Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    you might want to try taking four 16mg tabs per day....one every 4 hours.  Betahistine is effective for about 5 hours so taking one tab every four hours will ensure you have the full dose in your system all day.  If that does not improve your condition then you might need to try 24mg three or four times/day.  Sometimes you need to try different combinations until you find the one that gives you the best result.  Good luck and let us know what works for you.
  • sarah87228
    sarah87228 Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    Hi, if you are in the UK your gp won’t prescribe more than 16mg 3xdaily without ENT instruction as BNF states 48mg daily is maximum dosage. 

    Sarah 

  • NeddyO
    NeddyO Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    First go back to your previous dose. If that does not fully control your symptoms then you will need to take more.

    I had my dose tripled to 48mg three times daily (tds) and when that did not keep things under control was increased to 64mg tds. Betahistine is very well tolerated with minimal side effects even in high doses  apart from possible mild gastric irritation. The correct dose can take a month to become fully effective and you will need to stay on that dose for 5 to 6 months before gradually reducing if you have remained completely symptom free. The key is to get the total daily dose (however you space it) high enough to get full cessation of symptoms.

    Good luck.

    • sarah87228
      sarah87228 NeddyO

      Posted

      I’m just waiting until September for increase in betahistine as don’t see ent until then. Mine is nowhere near controlled, still more or less bed bound. 

      Going to try for a diuretic with gp tomorrow 

      Sarah

  • john02577
    john02577 Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    Hi Ali you can not just change your medication the guys and gals on this site are not Doctors and I can not tell you to take more I am on 3 beths a day 16mg if this is no longer working for you then another approach to your treatment maybe required like steroids or some sort of invasive surgery in the inner ear go back to your doctor for further advice Regards Johno
    • sarah87228
      sarah87228 john02577

      Posted

      Some people on here are actually healthcare professionals. It asks you to state if you are when you join. 

      I also advise that you do not change your dosage without instruction and I don’t think it was intended to come across that way, just past experiences being shared.

      In the UK you won’t be provided with a higher dose by a gp than is stated as the maximum in the BNF or that does not follow NICE guidelines unless instructed by specialist. 

      Sarah 

  • Ali_is_my_name
    Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    I am back to 3 tabs of 16mg a day and I will definitely continue that dose untill end of this year at least. my situation is not that bad, I can walk, run, read, computer work and do almost every thing, it is just a wave/shock come in my head after every few minutes that feels little bit annoying and a feeling called Brain Fog/Lightheadness is there.

    Every time I make any change is dose, It takes 2 weeks minimum to get back on track and feel 100% symptoms free. I have changes my dose twice in last 3 months and got problem both time.

    Hopefully in a couple of weeks winter will be over and finger crossed for summer.

    • mark_93177
      mark_93177 Ali_is_my_name

      Posted

      Hello Ali, Can you or anyone else please explain what you meant by wave/shock?

      Thank you

    • Ali_is_my_name
      Ali_is_my_name mark_93177

      Posted

      Wave/shock means I get a very minor vertigo attack that last for a moment only and keeps happening all day, specially when I am laying down in bed. I also get anxiety attack in bed.

      Its been 2 weeks now since I started taking 3 tabs of 16mg/day and feeling 90% ok. Tinnitus is not going away but It is always in background and does not disturb me most of the times and It is at peak when I wake up in the morning.

    • tanney
      tanney Ali_is_my_name

      Posted

      Ali, your momentary "shocks" of vertigo while you are lying in bed sound like crystal movement in your inner ear.  Have you been tested to see if you have this problem?  It is easily correctable with help from a vestibular rehab therapist.

    • Ali_is_my_name
      Ali_is_my_name tanney

      Posted

      I expact that test including TMJ should have been referred by my ENT but he is not doing anything. Who can test crystal in ear issue? Is it dentist who can look TMJ? I do remember my last visit to dentist a year ago and i was about to get vertigo due to the vibration of the tool they use for cleaning.
    • sarah87228
      sarah87228 Ali_is_my_name

      Posted

      Are you on anything for the anxiety? 

      These shocks you’re getting could be related to that, I get them but I’m aware of the difference as I had anxiety before this. 

      Try some mindfulness, that always helps me 

    • tanney
      tanney Ali_is_my_name

      Posted

      For the "displaced crystals" diagnosis here in USA we go to a vestibular rehabilitation therapist.  They test you via goggles placed over your eyes and put you through a series of head movements.  If you have displaced crystals the therapist can correct while you are there.

    • Ali_is_my_name
      Ali_is_my_name tanney

      Posted

      If you are talking about ENG test, I had that at start of this month, I was 100% ok when I appeared for the test and ENT said my result and MD symptoms are not matching but I still have "weakness" in my left ear but he did not talk about crystals because I did not tell him about sudden vertigo. these sudden episodes only come when my symptoms are active but now I am 95% fine and I don't get them. Ear fullness is still there and bothers me a lot when I am at home at night or early morning. I blame winter for this but let see in couple of months.

  • Ali_is_my_name
    Ali_is_my_name

    Posted

    Does anybody know where to start for TMJ? should I go to dentist straight away and ask for TMJ test or something or need to see GP first?
    • NeddyO
      NeddyO Ali_is_my_name

      Posted

      You can ask either your dentist or GP to refer you to a Consultant in  Restorative Dentistry or a Maxillo-facial surgeon for TMJ assessment. However unless you are having distressing symptoms you are unlikely to get very far unless the person you see is aware of the possible connection to Meniere's.

      Good luck.

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