I thought that it would be important to continue on about the effectiveness of betahistine (Serc, betaserc) and why it isn’t considered as an option to treating Meniere’s disease in the USA.
First I found an interesting article from PubMed Central pertaining to betahistine and Meniere’s disease. It really isn’t a surprise but the article states that 94% of the Doctor’s in the UK prescribe betahistine for Meniere’s disease. That is amazing! In the USA betahistine is not considered effective by most doctors. Serc can be obtained through compounding pharmacies (with a prescription) and obtained from other countries especially Canada as I found out from a comment from one of my readers.
Dr. Tim Hains, an authority on vertigo and meniere’s, wrote an excellent article on betahistine in this country. It seems that serc was approved at one time in the US but for only 5 years. Apparently a lack of evidence that it was effective was the reason that it lost its approval. After reading Dr. Hain’s website it seems that he has also prescribed it to patients.
It really seems inexplicable to me why a drug that is used through out Europe to help relieve Meniere’s disease isn’t even approved by the FDA in the USA. It just makes sense that if 94% of the doctors in the UK think that it is okay why isn’t it okay over here (USA).
I am really puzzled by this.
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Sunday, November 29, 2009
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13 comments:
Hi David - I was prescribed Serc (32 MG per day/16Mg twice a day) last fall when I was first diagnosed with MD. It certainly helped for the severe episodes, but I suffered terrible stomach aches/pain so as a result decided to stick with meclizine and Gravol for bad bouts. I do know people who have tolerated it well and who it has helped, but for me it was a toss up.
In remission now since mid August (knock wood) and hopeful it will last for a while.
Karin Ade
Hi David
Taken Serc 2 x 16mg daily for 6 yrs reduces the intensity of attacks with no side affects. Tried a reduce dose but low dose ineffective.
In Australia SERC is approved by Federal government as a medication, but not "subsidized" because SERC does not work with ?% of people, so it is expensive, although it has dropped in price of late.
Bernadette Daws
Adelaide Australia
Hi Bernadette,
Thanks for your input on Serc. It is interesting to see how other countries use serc and whether it is effective.
keep in touch
David
Hi David,
I asked my consultant (here in the UK) about this. She said that the US research included Migraine related vertigo, but that betahistine didn't have any effect on this - hence the impression that it's ineffective for Meniere's. I take 16mg x 3 a day and it's good for reducing overall dizziness, though if I have an attack I use other drugs.
Alex, UK
Hi Alex,
I wish that the FDA would take another look at betahistine, it seems to work for a lot of folks.
Thanks for the comment
David
I'm in the UK and was prescribed Betahistine, but I find it ineffective. Yet it is all my G P will recommend. Had a terrible episode yesterday with constant uncontrollable retching, only thing to stop it was to close my eyes and stay flat! But I wish there was some alternative medication here in the uk, I do not know what else is available to help, any suggestions?
I take valium and a diuretic every morning along with a supplement called t-bio. The supplement has a lot of natural ingredients like vitamin c, niacin and a few other things.
I hope that helps
thanks for the comment and please stay in touch
David
I have had MD for quite some time and I have been in and out of remission, i think I am at second stage. i was not told about serc from any specialist or GP in Australia i found out from a chemist who asked why i was not taking it. The reason was i was prescribed Urea crystals a diuretic and a low salt diet. I was taking a massive amount of Urea it was effective but i felt it had a rebound effect, like a few other things i had tried and it did the same thing. Just recently i have been unwell again with the dizzy's and have tried to take valium and antihistamine which seems to work for the ringing /Tinnitus but still getting the vertigo so now i am just about to go back onto the serc as it seemed to work for me the last time around.
Hi Fozzer,
That's interesting about Urea crystals, I don't think that I had heard about that before. I will have to do a search on it.
Serc seems to be helpful for some folks but not for others. In the US most doctors don't seem to like it. I'm glad you found some relief from it.
thanks for the comment and stay in touch
David
I have had MD for about 2 years and was presribed SERC when I first got sick. It did nothing to help with the dizziness at all.
thanks for your comment, serc seems to work for some but not all folks
stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.
David
Hi. I live in Ireland and,Ive had MD for over 10 years. I was prescribed SERC after a recent attack. I immediately noticed a reduction in ear fullness and tinnitus. However I have a further attack about a week later. I'm now investigating "John's Regime".
Hi Kevin,
There seems to be a lot of interest about SERC with regards to meniere's disease. while popular in Europe it is difficult to get in the USA.
Alot of folks also have been interested in John of Ohio's regime. Some people have found relief from it.
Let us know what kind of reaction you have to JOO regime if any.
thanks for the comment and stay in touch.
David
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