Experimental Uses
A new use for betahistine may be in the field of obesity management. Dr Nir Barak of the Rabin Medical Centre in Tel Aviv has undertaken trials and it is reported (Telegraph, UK, 19 February 2007) that volunteers lost more than 1.5 kg/week over twelve weeks and experienced a distaste for fatty foods.
A recent Phase II clinical trial of the new drug in the U.S. suggests that women under the age of 50 who took Histalean (Betahistine) for 12 weeks lost 7 times the weight of those taking a placebo. What's most important to the researchers involved is that none of the 281 patients, males and females aged 18–65, complained of any serious side effects. The recent results were based on a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on people with a Body Mass Index ranging from 30 to 40. (A BMI of 30 and above indicate obesity.) The study was conducted at 19 investigation sites across the U.S. over a 12 week treatment period. The subgroup of high-dose Histalean (Betahistine)-treated women lost an average of 2.91% of their weight versus placebo group which lost only 0.4%.
Betahistine is being studied for the treatment of atypical depression at dosages from 50–300 mg/day due to its ability to antagonise H3 receptors and thus increase the release of serotonin and norepinephrine from nerve endings into the synaptic cleft.
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