Name of treatment

Betahistine (Serc®, Betaserc®)

Type of treatment

Pharmaceutical

Claims for treatment

Reduces/eliminates the tinnitus percept. 

How treatment is delivered

Oral administration

Potential negative consequences

Evidence suggests betahistine is generally well tolerated1.

Evidence offered:

Papers available

5 (as in the Cochrane review[1])

Conclusions drawn

The included studies did not show differences in tinnitus loudness, the severity of tinnitus symptoms or side effects between participants receiving betahistine and participants receiving a placebo. 1

Quality of evidence[2]

A

Does the BTA recommend this treatment?

No

BTA opinion on this treatment:

There are other evidence-based treatments for tinnitus, which should be offered where appropriate.

Would the BTA support further studies into this treatment?

Yes, if the study uses rigorous methodology. Randomisation and blinding should be of the highest quality.
Verdict: Safety - is this treatment harmful?

 Regarded as safe

Verdict: Efficacy. Does this treatment work?

 Evidence that it is NOT effective

[1]  Wegner  I, Hall  DA, Smit  AL, McFerran  D, Stegeman  I. Betahistine for tinnitus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD013093. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013093.pub2..

[2] A = Systematic review/meta analysis. B = Randomised control studies. C = Cohort studies. D = Case control studies. E = case studies/reports. +/- to be used to indicate quality within bands

Download this information:

Tinnitus_and_betahistine_April_2019_revised.pdf

Updated 25 April 2019

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