The key difference between betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride is that betahistine hydrochloride has a hydrochloride salt component, whereas betahistine dihydrochloride has a dihydrochloride salt component.
Betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride are closely related medications that are useful in treating the same disorder and symptoms. These two drugs are different from each other only in the salt component that they have. These salts differ from each other because manufacturers add different active ingredients to the pills to get enough bulk in the tablet.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Betahistine Hydrochloride
3. What is Betahistine Dihydrochloride
4. Similarities – Betahistine Hydrochloride and Betahistine Dihydrochloride
5. Betahistine Hydrochloride vs Betahistine Dihydrochloride in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Betahistine Hydrochloride vs Betahistine Dihydrochloride
What is Betahistine Hydrochloride?
Betahistine hydrochloride is a medication used in the treatment of Meniere’s syndrome. This syndrome is a disorder that causes the inner ear to have dizzy spells and hearing loss. The symptoms of this disorder include vertigo, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss and inner ear inflammation.
This medication works by altering the histamine-1 level and the histamine-3 level of our body. These histamine forms can help dilate the blood vessels in our brain. This drug can mediate some of the symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
There are many applications of this drug in clinical trials and post-marketing research. According to the research, betahistine hydrochloride drug has proven general safety and high effectivity. However, there can be several side effects which can range from mild to serious. Some side effects include hypersensitivity, allergic reactions, rash in the skin, swelling of the face, itching and hives, swelling of the mouth and tongue, etc. The betahistine hydrochloride drug can cause some digestion-related side effects as well.
What is Betahistine Dihydrochloride?
Betahistine dihydrochloride is an anti-vertigo medication. It is commonly known as betahistine and is a histamine-like medication. The trade name of this drug is “Serc”. Commonly, this drug is used for balance disorders and to alleviate vertigo symptoms. This medication is useful in treating Meniere’s disorder, vertigo, and Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder (ADHD).
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Betahistine Drug
The major route of administration for this drug is by mouth. The bioavailability of this medication is 100%, and the protein binding ability is about 5%. Moreover, the metabolism of the drug occurs in the liver, and excretion occurs through urine. The elimination half-life of betahistine dihydrochloride is about 3.5 hours.
The most common side effects of this medication include headache, low level of gastric side effects, nausea, allergic reactions, etc.
When considering the chemical structure of betahistine dihydrochloride medication, the chemical name is 2-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]pyridine and usually, this drug comes in the dihydrochloride salt form. The chemical structure of this drug resembles that of phenethylamine and histamine.
Similarities Between Betahistine Hydrochloride and Betahistine Dihydrochloride
- Betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride are used to treat Meniere’s disorder, vertigo, and attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder (ADHD).
- These are salts of betahistine.
- Both drugs show similar side effects.
Difference Between Betahistine Hydrochloride and Betahistine Dihydrochloride
Betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride are different from each other only in the salt component that they have. The key difference between betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride is that betahistine hydrochloride has a hydrochloride salt component, whereas betahistine dihydrochloride has a dihydrochloride salt component. However, dihydrochloride salt is the most common form of this drug.
The following infographic lists the differences between betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride in tabular form for side by side comparison
Summary – Betahistine Hydrochloride vs Betahistine Dihydrochloride
Betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride are closely related medications that are useful in treating the same disorder and symptoms. The key difference between betahistine hydrochloride and betahistine dihydrochloride is that betahistine hydrochloride has a hydrochloride salt component, whereas betahistine dihydrochloride has a dihydrochloride salt component. However, dihydrochloride salt is the most common form of this drug.
Reference:
1. Bergeson, Boyd. “Cymbalta Withdrawal Symptoms.” Healthfully, 11 Jan. 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Betahistine” By Fvasconcellos (talk · contribs) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia