Betahistine: what's new on the agenda?
BACKGROUND
Betahistine is an orally administered, centrally acting histamine H(1) receptor agonist with partial H(3) antagonistic activity and no H(2)-binding effects. In the past betahistine was clinically studied mainly as a vasodilator for conditions such as cluster headaches, vascular dementia and Meniere's disease, for which it is still used. In recent years, histamine was found to be a key neurotransmitter in the regulation of feeding behavior.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a review of the developmental history and current research interests of betahistine.


METHODS
All reports of betahistine use in animals and humans were retrieved and reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
The unique pharmacologic properties of betahistine point to its potential future use as an antiobesity agent.
Barak
Nir
N
CSO-Obecure Ltd, Paz Towers, 5 Shoham St, Ramat Gan, 52121, Israel. nirbarak@post.tau.ac.il
D000818:Animals; D001621:Betahistine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000378:metabolism
D017442:Histamine Agonists; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; D001621:Betahistine