Westinorm
Westinorm: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. In case of impaired renal function
- 12. For violations of liver function
- 13. Use in the elderly
- 14. Drug interactions
- 15. Analogs
- 16. Terms and conditions of storage
- 17. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 18. Reviews
- 19. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Vestinorm
ATX code: N07CA01
Active ingredient: betahistine (betahistine)
Manufacturer: PJSC "Farmak" (Ukraine)
Description and photo updated: 2019-27-08
Westinorm is a histamine-like drug that improves microcirculation.
Release form and composition
The drug is available in the form of tablets (10 pieces in a blister, in a cardboard box 3 blisters and instructions for the use of Westinorm).
The active ingredient is betahistine dihydrochloride, content in 1 tablet: 8, 16 or 24 mg.
Auxiliary components: aerosil, sodium starch glycolate, medical low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone 12600 ± 2700, microcrystalline cellulose 101, magnesium stearate.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
The active substance in Westinorm is betahistine, the mechanism of its action has been studied only partially.
Several credible scientific assumptions, supported by animal and human studies, about the pharmacological effects of betahistine:
- Effect on the histaminergic neuronal system of the brain: partial internal agonistic activity of betahistine in relation to H 1 receptors, antagonistic activity in relation to H 3 histamine receptors in the nervous tissue and insignificant activity in relation to H 2 histamine receptors were revealed. By blocking presynaptic H 3 -receptors and inducing the process of decreasing the amount of the corresponding H 3 -receptors, betahistine enhances the exchange of histamine and increases its release.
- Increased blood flow in the cochlear zone and throughout the brain: In animal pharmacological studies, an improvement in blood circulation in the stria vascularis of the inner ear was found, presumably due to a decrease in the microcirculation of the inner ear of the tone of the precapillary sphincters. Betahistine has also been shown to increase cerebral blood flow in humans.
- Promoting vestibular compensation: Betahistine stimulates and supports the process of central vestibular compensation, accelerating the restoration of vestibular function after unilateral neurectomy in animals. This effect is achieved by increasing the regulation of metabolism and the release of histamine and is realized as a result of antagonism of H 3 receptors. In humans after neurectomy, betahistine treatment also reduced the recovery time of vestibular function.
- Changes in the activity of neurons in the vestibular nuclei: a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of betahistine on the generation of lateral / medial vestibular nuclei of peak potentials in neurons was confirmed.
Animal studies have shown the positive therapeutic effect of betahistine on the function of the vestibular system.
The effectiveness of Westinorm has been scientifically proven in clinical studies of patients with Meniere's disease and vestibular dizziness, which has been demonstrated by a decrease in the severity of dizziness attacks and a decrease in their frequency.
Pharmacokinetics
- absorption: after oral administration, betahistine is absorbed quickly and almost completely in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). Simultaneous intake with food reduces the maximum concentration (C max) in comparison with fasting intake. The complete absorption of betahistine in both cases is identical, which means that food intake only reduces the rate of absorption;
- distribution: less than 5% of betahistine binds to blood plasma proteins;
- metabolism: after absorption, betahistine is rapidly and almost completely metabolized to 2-pyridylacetic acid, a pharmacologically inactive metabolite, the C max of which in the blood plasma / urine is reached after 1 hour. Due to the low plasma concentration of betahistine, all pharmacokinetic analyzes are based on measuring the plasma level and the urine of its metabolite, 2-pyridylacetic acid;
- excretion: when taken in the dose range from 8 to 48 mg, about 85% of the initial dose of betahistine is found in the urine; the substance is rapidly excreted in the form of a metabolite (2-pyridylacetic acid) in the urine, T 1/2 (half-life) is about 3.5 hours.
Indications for use
Westinorm is recommended for the treatment of Meniere's disease and syndrome, characterized by three main symptoms: dizziness (sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting), hearing loss (deafness) and tinnitus.
The drug is also used for the symptomatic treatment of vestibular vertigo of various origins.
Contraindications
Absolute:
- pheochromocytoma;
- children and adolescents up to 18 years old;
- period of breastfeeding;
- increased individual sensitivity to any component of the drug.
Relative (Westinorm is taken with caution):
- bronchial asthma, including history;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenal ulcer, including in the anamnesis;
- hives, rash, or allergic rhinitis (due to the possibility of an increase in these symptoms);
- severe arterial hypotension;
- the period of pregnancy (only in cases of undoubted need and under the close supervision of a doctor).
Westinorm, instructions for use: method and dosage
It is recommended to take Westinorm tablets after or during meals, without violating the integrity of the tablet.
The daily dose is 24-48 mg, adult patients are prescribed 8-16 mg 3 times a day.
The duration of treatment and the exact dosage are determined by the doctor individually, depending on the effectiveness of therapy.
Side effects
Most patients tolerate Westinorm well; in some cases, side effects such as minor disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region), headaches may occur. The described manifestations in most cases go away on their own when taking Westinorm with meals or when the dose is reduced.
In rare cases, the use of the drug may be accompanied by allergic reactions in the form of itching, urticaria, and skin rashes.
Overdose
There have been several cases of Westinorm overdose. In some of them, symptoms of mild to moderate severity, such as nausea, drowsiness and abdominal pain, were observed with doses up to 640 mg, in other cases, vomiting, ataxia, dyspepsia and convulsions were noted. More serious symptoms in the form of seizures and complications from the heart and lungs were recorded with deliberate intake of high doses of betahistine, especially at the same time as an overdose of other drugs.
For the treatment of the condition, it is recommended to wash the stomach within one hour after an overdose and, if necessary, prescribe further symptomatic treatment.
special instructions
Treatment of patients suffering from bronchial asthma should be carried out under constant medical supervision.
Appointment of Westinorm to persons with a history of peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum requires caution.
The drug has no sedative effect.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
According to clinical trials, Betahistine does not significantly affect the ability to drive vehicles or operate complex mechanisms. But it should be borne in mind that the speed of psychomotor reactions and concentration of attention can be negatively affected by hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus associated with Meniere's syndrome.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
The obtained results of animal studies are insufficient to assess the direct or indirect effect of betahistine on the course of pregnancy, embryo formation, fetal development, labor and postnatal development of the child. Potential risk to humans is unknown. Due to the lack of data on the use of Westinorm during pregnancy, tablets should not be prescribed to this category of patients, except in cases of undoubted necessity, after assessing the balance of benefits and risks.
It is not known whether betahistine passes into breast milk. On animals, studies on its release during lactation have not been carried out. Westinorm is contraindicated for lactating women, or breastfeeding should be discontinued during therapy.
Pediatric use
Westinorm tablets are not recommended for use in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years due to limited data on the safety / efficacy of its use in this category of patients.
With impaired renal function
There were no special clinical trials on the use of Westinorm in patients with impaired renal function (renal failure), but according to the experience of post-registration observation, there is no need to adjust the dose.
For violations of liver function
No special clinical trials have been conducted on the use of Westinorm in patients with impaired liver function (liver failure), but according to the experience of post-registration observation, there is no need to adjust the dose.
Use in the elderly
The wide experience of using Westinorm in the post-registration period suggests that dose adjustment for elderly patients is not required.
Drug interactions
Simultaneous therapy with antihistamines (Suprastin, Zirtek, Ksizal, Tavegil, Fenkarol, Kestin, etc.) leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of Westinorm.
Analogs
Analogues of Westinorm are: Aviomarin, Acuver, Avetid, Betaserk, Betagis, Betanorm, Betagistin, Be-Steady, Vestikap, Vasoserk, Vergostin, Vestibo, Verisin, Maxgistin, Medogistin, Neurogin, Stugeronriz, Tagista, Tsina.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° С out of reach of children, protected from light and moisture.
The shelf life is indicated on the packaging.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Dispensed by prescription.
Reviews about Westinorm
According to a few reviews, Westinorm is an effective drug for dizziness, enhances blood circulation in the brain, improves concentration, memory and coordination of movements. For greater effectiveness, it is recommended to combine drug therapy with walks in the fresh air. Some people think that the drug only relieves symptoms, but does not treat the underlying disease. Other patients report long-term treatment until the first result is obtained.
Price for Westinorm in pharmacies
The price of Westinorm is unknown because the drug is not available for sale.
The approximate cost of some of its analogues is:
- Betahistine: dosage 8 mg, 30 pcs. - 45–97 rubles; dosage 16 mg, 30 pcs. - 68-114 rubles; dosage 24 mg, 20 pcs. - 106-169 rubles; dosage 24 mg, 60 pcs. - 240–357 rubles;
- Betaserc: dosage 8 mg, 30 pcs. - 370-436 rubles; dosage 24 mg, 20 pcs. - 513-604 rubles; dosage 16 mg, 30 pcs. - 594–675 rubles; dosage 24 mg, 60 pcs. - 1130-1330 rubles.
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
