Betahistine

Pharmaceuticals -> Listed in ZINC15

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals -> Used in Switzerland

Warning

H315 (100%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]

P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 47 reports by companies from 5 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury Severity and Toxicity (DILIst)

betahistine

DILI Positive

Oral

DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2019.09.022

N07CA01

N - Nervous system

QN - Nervous system

OBE101 is a H1 receptor agonist and partial H3 receptor antagonist. Because inhibition of H1 receptors increases feeding, agonism of H1 receptors by OBE101 should reduce feeding. By also partially antagonizing H3, OBE101 impedes a negative feedback loop that essentially prolongs stimulation of the H1 receptors.

Vertigo is a disturbing sensation of movement caused by dysfunction of the labyrinth (inner ear), vestibular nerve, cerebellum, brainstem, or Central Nervous System (CNS). Vestibular forms of vertigo are often accompanied by auditory dysfunctions such as hyperacusis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. In most cases, adaptive mechanisms of the CNS lead to functional recovery after episodes of vertigo, however, syndromes such as Ménière's disease tend to cause the recurrence of vertigo symptoms. This significantly impacts the quality of life and the ability to carry out daily activities. **H1-receptor activity** The mechanism of action of betahistine is multifactorial. Ménière's disease is thought to result from a disruption of endolymphatic fluid homeostasis in the ear. Betahistine mainly acts as a histamine H1-receptor agonist. The stimulation of H1-receptors in the inner ear causes a vasodilatory effect leading to increased permeability of blood vessels and a reduction in endolymphatic pressure; this action prevents the rupture of the labyrinth, which can contribute to the hearing loss associated with Ménière's disease. Betahistine is also purported to act by reducing the asymmetrical functioning of sensory vestibular organs and increasing vestibulocochlear blood flow, relieving symptoms of vertigo. **H3-receptor activity** In addition to the above mechanisms, betahistine also acts as a histamine H3-receptor antagonist, increasing the turnover of histamine from postsynaptic histaminergic nerve receptors, subsequently leading to an increase in H1-agonist activity. H3-receptor antagonism elevates levels of neurotransmitters including serotonin in the brainstem, inhibiting the activity of vestibular nuclei, thus restoring proper balance and decreasing vertigo symptoms.

Drugs used to cause dilation of the blood vessels.

Drugs that bind to and activate histamine receptors. Although they have been suggested for a variety of clinical applications histamine agonists have so far been more widely used in research than therapeutically.

When given orally, betahistine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In the fasted state, Cmax is achieved within 1 hour of administration; in the fed state, Cmax is delayed, but the total drug absorption is similar. Food, therefore, has little effect on the absorption of betahistine.[A220563,16388]

Betahistine is mainly excreted in the urine; with approximately 85-91% being detected in urine samples within 24 hours of administration.

In a pharmacokinetic study of rats, betahistine was found to be distributed throughout the body. Human data for betahistine's volume of distribution is not readily available.