title: Betahistine in the treatment of tinnitus in patients with vestibular disorders.
abstract: Betahistine is a medicine used to treat vestibular disorders that has also been used to treat tinnitus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of betahistine on tinnitus in patients with vestibular disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data were collected from patient records for individuals presenting with vestibular dysfunction and tinnitus. Patients included had received betahistine 48 mg/day and clinical outcomes were compared with a control group comprising individuals who were unable to receive betahistine due to gastritis, ulcers, pregnancy, asthma or hypersensitivity to the drug. Patients underwent control of any aggravating factors and also standard vestibular exercises as a basis for treatment. The intensity, frequency and duration of tinnitus were assessed on the first day of dosing and after 120 days of treatment. Clinical improvement was defined as a total or partial reduction of tinnitus after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical improvement was observed in 80/262 (30. 5%) of patients treated with betahistine and 43/252 (17. 1%) of control patients. Betahistine significantly (p<0. 0001) improved tinnitus in treated individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The daily dosage of 48 mg of betahistine during 120 consecutive days is useful to reduce or eliminate tinnitus in patients with vestibular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Full Professor of Otorhinolaryngology - Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Paulista School of Medicine (EPM). Professor at the Professional Master's Degree Program in Body Balance Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion at the Bandeirante University of São Paulo. Electronic address: mauricio.gananca@globo.com.
authors.forename: Maurício Malavasi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ganança
authors.affiliation: Senior Associate Professor of Neurotology. Associate Professor - Otology and Neurotology Program - Federal University of São Paulo - Paulista School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Heloisa Helena
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Caovilla
authors.affiliation: PhD in Sciences - Graduate Program in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - Federal University of São Paulo - Paulista School of Medicine. Professor at the Professional Master's Degree Program in Body Balance Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion at the Bandeirante University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Juliana Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gazzola
authors.affiliation: PhD in Sciences - Human Communication Disorders Graduate Program - Department of Speech and Hearing Therapy - Federal University of São Paulo - Paulista School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Cristina Freitas
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Ganança
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngologist; Post-Doctorate from UNIFESP - EPM. Adjunct Professor; Head of the Otology and Neurotology Program - UNIFESP - EPM. Universidade Federal de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Fernando Freitas
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Ganança
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001621:Betahistine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D017442:Histamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D017442:Histamine Agonists; D001621:Betahistine