[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Antivertigo agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/) › Betahistine

# Betahistine

## Antivertigo agents?

Antivertigo agents

An oral medicine for Ménière's disease that reduces vertigo, tinnitus and how often attacks happen.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Antivertigo agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/)

**Target**
Inner-ear circulation (mechanism not fully established)

**Used for**
Symptoms of Ménière's disease

**Key effects**
Nausea · Indigestion · Headache

**Monitor**
Frequency and severity · Stomach symptoms in people

**ATC**
N07CA01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Betahistine is thought to improve blood flow in the inner ear and so reduce the build-up of pressure that drives the vertigo, tinnitus and fullness of Ménière's disease. With regular use it can make attacks milder and less frequent.

- Betahistine reaches the inner ear
- Inner-ear blood flow is thought to improve
- Pressure build-up falls
- Fewer and milder vertigo attacks

## Indications

- Symptoms of Ménière's disease: vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss [Ménière disease →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/meniere-disease/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Headache

### Serious (rare, important)

- Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): swollen throat or tongue, itchy rash, difficulty breathing

## Contraindications

- Previous allergy or serious reaction to betahistine

## Key interactions

**Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants**
May not mix well with betahistine; reviewed before starting

**Antihistamines for allergy**
May not mix well with betahistine; reviewed before starting

## What is monitored

- Frequency and severity of vertigo attacks
- Stomach symptoms in people with a history of peptic ulcer
- Breathing in people with asthma

## Administration and safety

- Oral tablets swallowed with water, preferably with or after a meal
- It can take some time before the symptoms improve
- Not stopped without talking to the treating team

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not usually used in pregnancy or breastfeeding because there is little information; the treating team weighs the benefits and risks.

## Nursing care

- Ask about asthma, low blood pressure and peptic ulcer before starting, as it may not be suitable
- Teach that it does not usually affect driving
- Teach the signs of anaphylaxis

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Oral tablets, usually several times a day, best with or after food

## Memory aid

«BETAhistine BETTERs the inner ear»: for Ménière's, and watch asthma and ulcers.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which disease is betahistine used for?

Ménière's disease (vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss).

## In which two conditions may betahistine not be suitable?

Asthma and peptic ulcer (also low blood pressure, pregnancy and breastfeeding).

## Which allergy medicines may not mix well with betahistine?

Antihistamines.

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## Connections

## Related conditions 1

- [Ménière disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/meniere-disease/)

[← Back to the class: Antivertigo agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivertigo-agents/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Betahistine: a medicine used to treat Ménière's disease - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/betahistine/) (NHS (National Health Service, UK), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N07CA01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/betahistine/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/betahistine/