Betahistine

Betahistine, as in BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN is similar to histamine, a substance which is found naturally in the human body. Betahistine works by improving blood flow in the inner ear. This lowers the build-up of pressure. BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN is used to treat dizziness (vertigo) associated with Ménière’s disease.

Do not take BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to betahistine dihydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN (listed in section 6).
• If you have a tumour (phaeochromocytoma). This may cause high blood pressure.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN:

• If you have a stomach ulcer,
• If you have asthma,
• If you have an allergic reaction causing skin rashes and/or swelling of the skin.
• If you have severe low blood pressure.
• If you have been diagnosed with porphyria (an inherited disorder of blood pigment metabolism).
• If you are taking other medicines used to treat allergies or colds called antihistamines. If BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN and these medications are used at the same time, the effects of both medicines may be reduced. If you are currently taking an antihistamine, your doctor will slowly reduce the dose over about 6 days before you can start using BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN.

Children and Adolescents:

BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN should not be used by children and adolescents below the age of 18 years.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual dose is 24 mg to 48 mg (one to two tablets) of BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN daily in divided doses. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your response. Your doctor will tell you how long your treatment with BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN will last. If you have the impression that the effect of BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN is too strong or too weak, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN than you should

If you use more tablets than you should, the following symptoms may occur due to overdose: headache, redness of the face, dizziness, faster heartbeat, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties due to constriction of the lungs (bronchial asthma), and swelling, especially of the surface of the upper airways due to water retention. In the event of an overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available contact the nearest hospital or poison centre. Take this leaflet and the rest of the remaining BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN with you so the doctor will know what you have taken.

If you forget to take BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN

If you forget to take a dose of BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN, take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

If you stop taking BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN

You should not stop taking BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN before discussing it with your doctor.

BESTHISTINE 24 UNICORN can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN, please consult your health care provider for advice.

If any of the following happens, stop taking BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• An allergic reaction, such as breathing difficulty; swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
• An inflamed itchy skin rash with swelling. These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to BETAHISTINE 24 UNICORN. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• fast heartbeat, tightness of the chest;
• worsening of your existing bronchial asthma. These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent side effects:

• headache;
• nausea, indigestion

Less frequent side effects:

• A feeling of pressure in your head;
• retching (make the sound and movement of vomiting), heartburn, stomach discomfort and pain, flatulence.

Side effects with an unknown frequency:

• Occasional drowsiness;
• Skin rashes and itching.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: http://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8.

Store all medicines out of reach of children.

• Store at or below 25 °C.
• Keep the blister strips in the outer carton until required for use.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the blister or carton.
• Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.
• Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains and sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).