Betahistine and Its Role in Managing Meniere’s Disease: Insights and Options from Michigan Experts
Meniere’s disease, a chronic disorder of the inner ear, presents patients with debilitating symptoms such as vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. While the exact cause of Meniere’s disease remains uncertain, managing its symptoms is crucial for improving patients’ quality of life.
“Ménière’s disease can develop at any age, but it is more likely to occur in adults between 40 and 60 years of age. Approximately 615,000 individuals in the United States have Ménière’s disease, and about 45,500 cases are newly diagnosed each year, according to the American Hearing Research Foundation.”
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
The symptoms of Meniere’s Disease typically occur in episodes or attacks and may vary in frequency and intensity, often fluctuating over time. Here’s what patients might experience:
- Vertigo: One of the hallmark symptoms of Meniere’s Disease is vertigo, a severe form of dizziness that creates the sensation of spinning or moving. These vertigo attacks can be unpredictable and incapacitating, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. During an episode, the intense dizziness can cause nausea, vomiting, and balance issues, significantly disrupting daily activities.
- Tinnitus: Another frequent symptom is tinnitus, which manifests as a ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ears. For those with Meniere’s, this noise can vary in pitch and intensity and often worsens during attacks.
- Hearing Loss: Patients may experience fluctuating hearing loss, particularly in the low-frequency range. This loss can progress to more permanent hearing impairment over time. During attacks, individuals might notice that their ability to hear diminishes, sometimes accompanied by aural fullness — an uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the ear.
- Aural Fullness: A sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear often accompanies the other symptoms of Meniere’s Disease. This feeling can be particularly distressing and may precede or accompany vertigo and tinnitus episodes.
One medication that has shown promise in alleviating these symptoms is Betahistine.
What is Betahistine?
Betahistine is primarily prescribed to alleviate vertigo and related symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease. Unlike many commercially available medications that may offer broader symptomatic relief for similar conditions, Betahistine specifically targets the pathology thought to contribute to Meniere’s. It is believed to work by improving blood flow in the inner ear, which can help normalize the pressure of ear fluids and reduce symptoms.
How Betahistine Works in the Body
Betahistine functions as both a partial agonist and antagonist of histamine receptors within the inner ear and brain. By stimulating the H1 receptors and blocking H3 receptors, Betahistine enhances inner ear blood circulation and reduces endolymphatic pressure, the latter being a significant factor in the onset of Meniere’s symptoms. This dual action may help to control vertigo and maintain auditory and vestibular functions more effectively than some other therapies.
Why Are Michigan Doctors Prescribing Betahistine for Merniere’s Disease?
Medical professionals, particularly ENT specialists and neurologists, prescribe Betahistine as it is often well-tolerated by patients and can be specifically compounded to suit individual dosage requirements. This customization is vital as Meniere’s disease varies widely in how it affects individuals, and managing it often requires a tailored approach.
Why Are Michigan Doctors Prescribing Betahistine for Merniere’s Disease?
Medical professionals, particularly ENT specialists and neurologists, prescribe Betahistine as it is often well-tolerated by patients and can be specifically compounded to suit individual dosage requirements. This customization is vital as Meniere’s disease varies widely in how it affects individuals, and managing it often requires a tailored approach.
Research Supporting Betahistine
Numerous studies have documented positive results of Betahistine for patients with Meniere’s disease. For example, a systematic review in the Journal of Vestibular Research highlights that patients taking Betahistine significantly report fewer and less severe vertigo episodes compared to those on placebo therapies.
“Betahistine was effective in reducing the frequency, severity and duration of vertigo and associated neurovegetative symptoms, as well as in improving the patients’ quality of life.”
Source: Journal of Vestibular Research
Another study published in The International Tinnitus Journal found that Betahistine not only reduced the frequency of vertigo attacks but also improved overall auditory function in Meniere’s disease patients. Read More
“For patients with cochlear MD [Merniere’s Disease], regular and long-term betahistine treatment can benefit their hearing outcome in the low- and medium-frequency.”
Why Choose HDRx for Betahistine?
At Health Dimensions Clinical Pharmacy (HDRx), we understand the unique challenges faced by those living with Meniere’s disease. Our PCAB-accredited facility ensures each compounded Betahistine prescription adheres to the strictest quality and safety standards. By focusing on compounding medications like Betahistine, HDRx provides Meniere’s disease patients with personalized medication that commercial pharmaceuticals cannot offer.
As we continue to support patients and healthcare providers with innovative options, HDRx remains at the forefront of compounding pharmacy services in Michigan, dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes through specialized care and consultation.
For more information on how compounded Betahistine may be part of your Meniere’s disease management plan, contact us directly to discuss your specific needs. We are here to help patients, as well as medical practitioners, navigate innovative medication options with expert care and precision.
References
Cheng, P. C., Wu, P. H., Chang, C. M., Lo, W. C., Liao, L. J., Young, Y. H., & Cheng, P. W. (2024). Effect of long-term betahistine treatment on the clinical outcomes of patients with cochlear Meniere’s disease. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 144(4), 306-312. Link
Devantier, L., Hougaard, D., Händel, M. N., Liviu-Adelin Guldfred, F., Schmidt, J. H., Djurhuus, B., & Callesen, H. E. (2020). Using betahistine in the treatment of patients with Menière’s disease: a meta-analysis with the current randomized-controlled evidence. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 140(10), 845-853. Link
James AL, Burton MJ. Betahistine for Menière’s disease or syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;2001(1):CD001873. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001873. PMID: 11279734; PMCID: PMC6769057. Link
Lacour, M. (2013). Betahistine treatment in managing vertigo and improving vestibular compensation: clarification. Journal of Vestibular Research, 23(3), 139-151. Link
Lacour, M., van de Heyning, P. H., Novotny, M., & Tighilet, B. (2007). Betahistine in the treatment of Ménière’s disease. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 3(4), 429-440. Link
Stambolieva, K., & Angov, G. (2010). Effect of treatment with betahistine dihydrochloride on the postural stability in patients with different duration of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. International Tinnitus Journal, 16(1). Link
Van Esch, B., van der Zaag-Loonen, H., Bruintjes, T., & van Benthem, P. P. (2022). Betahistine in Meniere’s disease or syndrome: a systematic review. Audiology and Neurotology, 27(1), 1-33. Link
