title: Betahistine dihydrochloride in the treatment of peripheral vestibular vertigo.
abstract: The present study compares the efficacy and safety of betahistine dihydrochloride to that of a placebo in recurrent vertigo resulting from Meniere's disease (MD) or in paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV) of probable vascular origin. The design was double-blind, multicentre and parallel-group randomised. Eleven Italian centres enrolled 144 patients: 75 of the patients were treated with betahistine (41 MD/34 PPV) and 69 with placebos (40 MD/29 PPV). The betahistine dosage was 16 mg twice per day for 3 months. Compared to the placebo, betahistine had a significant effect on the frequency, intensity and duration of vertigo attacks. Associated symptoms and the quality of life also were significantly improved by betahistine. Both the physician's judgement and the patient's opinion on the efficacy and acceptability of the treatment were in agreement as to the superiority of betahistine. The effective and safe profile of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo due to peripheral vestibular disorders was confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pavia, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. e.mira@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mira
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghilardi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fattori
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malannino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maiolino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ottoboni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pagnini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leprini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pallestrini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Passali
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Russolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simoncelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brizi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vicini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frasconi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001621:Betahistine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests
chemical_list: D001621:Betahistine