Serc

Product Information Change Font Size The following information is a summary about Serc. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions. Brand Name: Serc Common Name: Betahistine dihydrochloride How does this medication work? What will it do for me? Betahistine is one of the group of medicines that treats vertigo associated with Ménière's disease. Vertigo is a condition that causes sufferers to have a sensation of rotation or movement of themselves or their surroundings. Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo in addition to symptoms such as ringing in the ears, headache and loss of hearing. Betahistine is used to reduce the number of episodes of vertigo associated with Ménière's disease. Your doctor may choose to use this medication for other conditions not listed here. If you're unsure why you are taking this medication, please ask your doctor. How should I use this medication? The usual recommended dose of betahistine for adults is 8 mg to 16 mg three times daily. Betahistine is not recommended for use by children. To prevent stomach upset, it is recommended that this medication be taken with food. It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way you are taking the medication without talking to your doctor. If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as you remember. However, if you don't remember until it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medication at room temperature and protect from moisture. What form(s) does this medication come in? Betahistine is available as a round, mottled pink tablet containing betahistine 4 mg and as a round, white tablet containing betahistine 8 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients in the 4 mg tablet include cornstarch, Erythrosine Ultra Lake No. 16 (FD&C Red No. 3), lactose, magnesium stearate, and purified silica. This product does not contain yeast or gluten. Nonmedicinal ingredients in the 8 mg tablet include citric acid, colloidal anhydrous silica, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and talc. This product does not contain starch, lactose, yeast or gluten. Who should NOT take this medication? Betahistine should not be used by anyone with: an allergy to the product or any of its ingredients a peptic ulcer or a history of the condition a condition known as pheochromocytoma What side effects are possible with this medication? The following side effects may go away as your body becomes used to the medicine; check with your doctor if they continue or become bothersome: Less common headache nausea stomach upset Call your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur: Less common rash Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication? Asthma: Although problems have not been identified to date when betahistine has been used by people with asthma, caution should be exercised because the drug is a weak histamine, which could theoretically cause asthma to act up. Pregnancy: There are no well-controlled studies of betahistine use by pregnant women. Therefore, this medication should be used during pregnancy or in women of childbearing potential only if benefits outweigh potential risks. Breast-feeding: It is not known whether betahistine passes into breast milk. It should be used during breast-feeding only if the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks. Children: This medication is not recommended for use by children. What other drugs could interact with this medication? Antihistamines may affect how betahistine works or may be affected by betahistine. If you are taking any medications containing antihistamines, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to: stop taking one of the medications, change one of the medications to another, change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or leave everything as is. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, decongestants, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.