title: [Betahistidine hydrochloride in the treatment of vertebro-basilar insufficiency].
abstract: The therapeutical results with betahistidine -HCl in 50 patients with vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency (VBI) are reported. Betahistidine was given in an average dosage of 4 mg three times daily. The basic clinical criterion for evaluation was the presence of vertigo in all patients. Patients with long-tract symptoms were excluded from the study. Clinical evaluation was assessed following a 4-point rating scale. Three examinations were carried out, i.e.: (I) prior to the therapy; (II) one month thereafter and (III) six months after the first examination. There were: a mild but definited improvement in 22 %, a good improvement in 44 %, a very good one in 16 % and no improvement or worsening of the condition in 18 % of the patients. No side effects were noticed. A double blind study was carried out in 10 patients with positive results. The reported data are showing that this drug is a useful short and long-term treatment in cases with "nuclear" forms of VBI where vertigo is predominent.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D001621:Betahistine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D014717:Vertigo / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D011725:Pyridines; D001621:Betahistine
vernacular_title: La bétahistidine hydrochloride dans le traitement de l'insuffisance vertébro-basilaire