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" What is it used for?  Relieving vertigo, tinnitus and hearing problems associated with M\u00E9ni\u00E8re&amp;#039;s disease.    How does it work? Serc tablets contain the active ingredient betahistine, which is a medicine that closely resembles the natural substance histamine. Betahistine is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine. Betahistine is used to relieve the symptoms of M\u00E9ni\u00E8re&amp;#039;s disease, which is a disorder of the inner ear.  The fluid in the ear (found in a structure called the labyrinth) provides continual feedback to the brain about our body position. When something disturbs the balance of this fluid, for example an increase in its pressure, this can cause sensations such as nausea, dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo), ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing problems. This is what happens in M\u00E9ni\u00E8re&amp;#039;s disease. The way in which betahistine works is not fully understood and it probably acts in a number of different ways. Betahistine acts on histamine receptors and also increases the activity of histamine. These actions improve the blood flow in the inner ear and this helps reduce the pressure of the fluid that fills the labyrinth in the inner ear. Betahistine may also dampen down the nerve messages sent from the inner ear to the brain. Both actions help to relieve the symptoms associated with M\u00E9ni\u00E8re&amp;#039;s disease.   How do I take it?  Betahistine is usually taken three times a day. The dose prescribed varies from person to person and you should follow the instructions given by your doctor. These will also be printed on the dispensing label that your pharmacist has put on the packet of medicine. The tablets should preferably be taken with or just after meals. Keep taking the medicine regularly for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. If you forget to take a dose don&amp;#039;t worry, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as usual when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.   Not to be used in  Children and adolescents under 18 years of age. People with a tumour of the adrenal glands (phaeochromocytoma).  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.   Use with caution in  People who have ever had a peptic ulcer. People who suffer from asthma.   Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the developing baby. Seek further medical advice from your doctor. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should only be used by women who are breastfeeding if the benefits outweigh any potential risks to the nursing infant. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.   Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)  Feeling sick. Indigestion. Headache.   Frequency not known  Mild disturbances of the gut such as vomiting, abdominal pain or bloating. Digestive side effects can usually be avoided by taking the medicine during a meal. However, if this does not help these symptoms you should tell your doctor as they can also be improved by lowering the dose. Skin reactions such as rash, hives or itching.  Allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, throat and tongue (angioedema).  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? You should tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.  As betahistine is an analogue of histamine, antihistamines (used for allergies) such as cetirizine or loratadine, could theoretically make this medicine less effective.   Other medicines containing the same active ingredient Betahistine tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.  Last updated 22.06.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/ear-nose-and-throat/a7519/serc-betahistine/>