Bethistine

Do you take it all the time and does it help? I’ve never heard of it before, I asked my ent he said he could get it for me but I have to go to a special pharmacy! I’m in the U.S.and I bet it’s expensive her! Thankyou! Chris

I am taking 3 times and day 16mg tablet, easily available in Australia. YES it worked first time but now I have changed diet as well, so not sure it is betahistine or my diet which one is controlling my vertigo. I had 3 to 4 full scale vertigo in 3 days when MD was diagnosed but now I do get episodes but very minor and finish in a few minutes. Last full scale vertigo was approximately 2 months ago.

Betahistine, Chris, can be filled at any compounding pharmacy in US.  You will need a prescription, however.  Since betahistine is not approved in US by FDA no insurance company will cover the costs.  Cost for 300 16mg capsules costs me $119.00.  This lasts me 75 days (I take 4/day).  Many compounding pharmacies offer a price break @ 300 capsules....that's why I order that quantity each time.  Since you will be paying for the med, you can ask your ENT doctor to write the prescription anyway you want it.  I always ask for 300 capsules with 4 refills which covers a full year. 

f you live in an area without a compounding pharmacy I'd be glad to give you the name of mine....they will mail med directly to your home.  GOOD LUCK!!

I called a compounding pharmacy today and they wanted over 100 dollars for 90 pills. I get thru Canada for about 35.00 for 90 pills. I live in California

$100 for 90 capsules!!  Are you sure they are not quoting you for 90 days of 3/day = 270 capsules?  If it is only 90 then they are charging way too high a price for compounding.  I get 300 capsules of 16mg compounded in Pennsylvania for $119.  If you are unable to find a compounding pharmacy that is more competitive then it sure makes sense to order Serc from Canada....especially if it is working for you and you are not sensitive to lactose.  Best of luck!

I use Meclizine and Triamterene-HCTZ have you heard of that. How does that compare to what you are saying. And what is a compound pharmacy

Hi Judy,  Meclizine and betahistine are completely different.  Definition of Meclizine from on line source says:  "Meclizine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Meclizine is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness. It is also used to treat symptoms of vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) caused by disease that affects your inner ear."  Your HCTZ pill is a diuretic which pulls fluid from the body including the inner ear to better control MD symptoms.  

Betahistine is a histamine that increases blood flow in inner ear which helps control vertigo from meniere's disease.  

If both of your meds are working well for you and are controlling your vertigo then there is no need to change.  If however you still get vertigo you may want to ask your ENT doctor to replace the meclizine with betahistine.

A compounding pharmacy is one that makes (compounds) prescriptions right at the pharmacy.  Most compounding pharmacies are independent and not chain pharmacies.  Almost every city in the States has at least one.  Just call and ask around....or ask your ENT.

good luck.

I thought it seemed high. I asked them if it was 30 days she said yes. I will try calling another pharmacy tomorrow.

I live near Chicago, do you know of any compound pharmacy? And I saw someone bought it in Canada. Do you still need a prescription ? You know having MD we will do anything for a normal life 

One more thing , why isn’t it sold normally with prescription in the USA?  You would think the way it helps people with MD  they would be prescribing it? Weird and kind of makes me mad

Just call a few of your local pharmacies...ask if they are a compounding pharmacy?...in my town the mom and pop pharmacy does it....When I am in Florida a few of them do it there......There are many things in Europe and elsewhere that are tried and used prior to us in the USA getting and doing them agree or disagree our drugs have to go through the food and drug admin prior to being put oil the market.  once you find a compounding pharmacy they may want to know what the compound is in order to make it. If so you can get that compound info from one of the pharmacies making it.  My ENT is fairly young and second generation ENT.  He loves to hear about and try anything within reason that helps.  As he has told me MD is one of those things that does not have a "quick fix" for everyone.  We are all different and all react different to the medicines.  Most on here including me have had great results with it.   Take some of these posts and show your ENT.  Good luck to you.  

Looks like I misspoke! I just had an order refilled from Pharmacyrxworld  for 240 16 mg tablets for $65.00 free shipping! Our compounding pharmacy here in Oh are much higher! Thanks for the comment!

yes, you do need in a prescription for Canadian pharmacies and/or US compounding pharmacies.  Betahistine is not approved by the FDA in The States so Serc (brand name sold everywhere but US) is not available here.  I'm positive there are multiple compounding pharmacies in Chicago.  Check with you doctor for the ones they use or make a few calls to a couple pharmacies and ask them for names.  If all else fails let me know and I'll send you the name of the one I use here in Pa.

I asked my ent and he didn’t seem to want to put me on it but I might have to push for it. Seems like it works for so many on this site. Wonder why my doctor has an issue with it?   I am seeing a specialist on the 20th for surgery on that ear to stop the vertigo so I will ask him. I might have to get back to you thanks for your response . This disease I just wish I could get rid of. I hate to go any where because you just don’t know so it’s hard on family that quite don’t understand 😫