SERC 8MG TABLETS

Serc® 8mg Tablets
Betahistine Dihydrochloride 8mg Tablets
(betahistine dihydrochloride)
Your medicine is known by one of the above names, but will be referred to
as Serc throughout this:
Patient Information Leaflet

Your doctor will tell you whether it is safe for you to start taking this
medicine.
Your doctor may also want to monitor your asthma while you take Serc.

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this
medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to
others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as
yours.
• If any of the side effects becomes serious, or if you notice any side
effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or
pharmacist.

Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have taken any
other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This
includes herbal medicines.

In this leaflet:
1) What Serc is and what it is used for
2) Before you take Serc
3) How to take Serc
4) Possible side effects
5) How to store Serc
6) Further information

1) What Serc is and what it is used for
Serc contains betahistine. This medicine is called a histamine analogue. It
is used to treat:
• dizziness (vertigo)
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• hearing loss suffered by people with Ménière's disease
This medicine works by improving blood flow in the inner ear. This lowers
the build up of pressure.

2) Before you take Serc
Do not take Serc If:
• You are allergic to any of the ingredients in the tablets (see section 6
for further details).
• You have high blood pressure due to an adrenal tumour
(phaeochromocytoma).
If any of the above applies to you, do not take this medicine and talk to
your doctor.
Take special care and tell your doctor if:
• you have a stomach ulcer
• you have asthma
• you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• you are breast-feeding
If any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking this
medicine.

In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
• Anti-histamines – these may (in theory) lower the effect of Serc. Also,
Serc may lower the effect of anti-histamines.
• Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) – used to treat depression or
Parkinson’s disease. These may increase the exposure of Serc.
Taking Serc with food and drink
You can take Serc with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Serc if you are pregnant unless your doctor has decided that it
is absolutely necessary. Ask your doctor for advice.
Do not breast-feed while using Serc unless instructed by your doctor. It is
not known if Serc passes into breast milk.
Driving and using machines
Serc is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machinery.
However, remember that diseases for which you are being treated with
Serc (vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière’s
syndrome) can make you feel dizzy or be sick, and can affect your ability
to drive or use machines.

3) How to take Serc
How to take Serc
• Swallow the tablets with water.
• Preferably take the tablet with a meal.
How much Serc to take
Always follow your doctor’s instructions because your doctor might adjust
your dose.
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•
•

Serc is available in two strengths, an 8 mg tablet and a 16 mg tablet.
The usual starting dose is 16 mg three times a day (48 mg).
Your doctor may lower your dose to 8 mg three times a day (24 mg).

Keep taking your tablets. The tablets can take a while to start to work.
Serc is not recommended for those under 18 years old.

How to stop taking Serc
Keep taking your tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.
Even when you start feeling better, your doctor may want you to carry on
taking the tablets for some time to make sure that the medicine has
worked completely.

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•
•
•

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Protect from
light.
If your doctor stops your treatment, return any unused tablets to a
pharmacist.
If the tablets become discoloured or show any other signs of
deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will
tell you what to do.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household
waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer
required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

If you take more Serc than you should
If you or someone else takes too much Serc (an overdose), talk to a doctor
or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you.

•

If you forget to take Serc
If you miss a tablet, wait until the next dose is due. Do not try to make up
for the dose you have missed.

6) Further information

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.

4) Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Serc can cause side effects (unwanted effects or
reactions), but not everyone gets them.
The following serious side effects may occur during treatment with
Serc:
Allergic reactions such as:
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue or neck. This may cause difficulty
breathing.
• a red skin rash, inflamed itchy skin
If any of these side effects occur you should stop treatment immediately
and contact your doctor.
Common side effects (at least 1 in 100 and less than 1 in 10 patients):
Nausea, indigestion, headaches.
Other side effects
Itching, rash, hives, mild gastric complaints such as vomiting, stomach
pain and bloating. Taking Serc with food can help reduce any stomach
problems.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This
includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also
report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help
provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5) How to store Serc

What Serc contains
Each tablet contains 8mg of betahistine dihydrochloride.
The tablets also contain the following: mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose,
citric acid, anhydrous colloidal silica and talc.
What Serc looks like and contents of the pack
Serc 8mg Tablets are round, flat and white to almost white with ‘256’
imprinted on the one face and ‘Solvay logo’ on the reverse.
Serc 8mg Tablets are available as blister packs of 60 tablets.
PL 10383/0407

POM

Who makes and repackages your medicine?
Your medicine is manufactured by Abbott Healthcare S.A.S., Route de
Belleville, Lieu-dit “Maillard,” 01400 Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne, France.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by Product Licence Holder:
Primecrown Ltd, 4/5 Northolt Trading Estate, Belvue Road, Northolt,
Middlesex UB5 5QS.
Leaflet date: 03.11.2015
Serc® is a trademark of Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Weesp, The
Netherlands.