Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Serc - 8 mg Tablets
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Betahistine dihydrochloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
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 syndrome This medicine works by improving blood flow in the inner ear. This lowers the build up of pressure.
What you need to know before you take it
e 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 tumor (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. 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. 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 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 and 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 it
Serc
- Swallow the tablets with water.
- Preferably take the tablet with a meal. How much Serc to take Always follow your doctor's instruction because your doctor might adjust your dose
- Serc is available in two strengths, an 8mg tablets and 16mg tablets.
- 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 tell you to stop. Even when you start feeling better, your doctor may want you to carry on taking tablets for some time to make sure that the medicine has worked completely. 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.
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 United Kingdom national reporting system The Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting
Possible side effects
, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Serc
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- This medicine should preferably be locked in a cupboard or medicine cabinet.
- Do not use the tablets after the expiry date which is printed on the carton and blister pack.
- Do not store your tablets above 25oC and keep them in the original package.
- If your doctor stops your treatment, return any unused tablets to a pharmacist. 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.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Serc contains Each tablet contains 8 or 16 mg of betahistine dihydrochloride. The tablets also contain microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol E421, citric acid monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica,talc, L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate and propyl gallate. What Serc looks like and contents of the pack Serc-8 are round, flat, white to almost white and with '256' imprinted on one face of the tablet. Serc-16 are round, biconvex, scored, white to almost white and with '267' imprinted on one face of the tablet. Serc-8 is available in packs of 120 tablets and containers with 500 or 1000 tablets.
Serc-16 is available in packs of 84 tablets and containers with 500 or 1000 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Viatris Products Limited, Station Close, Potters Bar, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom. Manufacturers: Mylan Laboratories SAS 01400 Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne France This leaflet was revised in November 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Serc – 8 mg Tablets
How do I take Serc – 8 mg Tablets?
Serc – 8 mg Tablets comes as tablet containing 8mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Serc – 8 mg Tablets?
The active substance in Serc – 8 mg Tablets is betahistine dihydrochloride.
Are there equivalent medicines to Serc – 8 mg Tablets?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Betahistine 8 mg tablets, Betahistine Dihydrochloride 8 mg Tablets, Betahistine Dihydrochloride 8mg Tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Serc – 8 mg Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Serc – 8 mg Tablets without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: betahistine dihydrochloride
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière's syndrome.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults (including the elderly): initially two tablets three times daily taken preferably with meals. Maintenance doses are generally in the range 24-48 mg daily.
Paediatric population: not recommended for use in children below 18 years due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.
Geriatric population: Although there are limited data from clinical studies in this patient group, extensive post marketing experience suggests that no dose adjustment is necessary in this patient population.
Renal impairment: There are no specific clinical trials available in this patient group, but according to post-marketing experience no dose adjustment appears to be necessary.
Hepatic impairment: There are no specific clinical trials available in this patient group, but according to post-marketing experience no dose adjustment appears to be necessary.
4.3. Contraindications
Phaeochromocytoma. Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Caution is advised in the treatment of patients with a history of peptic ulcer. Clinical intolerance to Serc in bronchial asthma patients has been shown in a relatively few patients. These patients need to be carefully monitored during the therapy.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No in-vivo interaction studies have been performed. Based on in-vitro data no in-vivo inhibition on Cytochrome P450 enzymes is expected.
In vitro data indicate an inhibition of betahistine metabolism by drugs that inhibit monoamino-oxidase (MAO) including MAO subtype B (e.g. selegiline). Caution is recommended when using betahistine and MAO inhibitors (including MAO-B selective) concomitantly.
As betahistine is an analogue of histamine, interaction of betahistine with antihistamines may in theory affect the efficacy of one of these drugs.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no adequate data from the use of betahistine in pregnant women.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity at clinically relevant therapeutic exposure. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of betahistine during pregnancy.
Lactation
It is not known whether betahistine is excreted in human milk.
Betahistine is excreted in rat milk. Effects seen post-partum in animal studies were limited to very high doses. The importance of the drug to the mother should be weighed against the benefits of nursing and the potential risks for the child.
Fertility
Animal studies did not show effects on fertility in rats.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss associated with Ménière's syndrome can negatively affect the ability to drive and use machines. In clinical studies specifically designed to investigate the ability to drive and use machines betahistine had no or negligible effects.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The following undesirable effects have been experienced with the below indicated frequencies in betahistine-treated patients in placebo-controlled clinical trials [very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000)].
Gastrointestinal disorders
Common: nausea and dyspepsia
Nervous System disorders
Common: headache
In addition to those events reported during clinical trials, the following undesirable effects have been reported spontaneously during post-marketing use and in scientific literature. A frequency cannot be estimated from the available data and is therefore classified as “not known”.
Immune System disorders
Hypersensitivity reactions e.g. anaphylaxis have been reported.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Mild gastric complaints (e.g. vomiting, gastrointestinal pain, abdominal distension and bloating) have been observed. These can normally be dealt with by taking the dose during meals or by lowering the dose.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Cutaneous and subcutaneous hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, in particular angioneurotic oedema, urticaria, rash, and pruritus.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
A few overdose cases have been reported. Some patients experienced mild to moderate symptoms with doses up to 640 mg (e.g. nausea, somnolence, abdominal pain). More serious complications (e.g. convulsion, pulmonary or cardiac complications) were observed in cases of intentional overdose of betahistine especially in combination with other overdosed drugs. Treatment of overdose should include standard supportive measures.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Serc – 8 mg Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.