ABSTRACT
The present study compares the efficacy and safety of betahistine dihydrochloride to that of a placebo in recurrent vertigo resulting from Meniere's disease (MD) or in paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV) of probable vascular origin. The design was double-blind, multicentre and parallel-group randomised. Eleven Italian centres enrolled 144 patients: 75 of the patients were treated with betahistine (41 MD/34 PPV) and 69 with placebos (40 MD/29 PPV). The betahistine dosage was 16 mg twice per day for 3 months. Compared to the placebo, betahistine had a significant effect on the frequency, intensity and duration of vertigo attacks. Associated symptoms and the quality of life also were significantly improved by betahistine. Both the physician's judgement and the patient's opinion on the efficacy and acceptability of the treatment were in agreement as to the superiority of betahistine. The effective and safe profile of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo due to peripheral vestibular disorders was confirmed.
Subject(s)
Betahistine/administration & dosage , Meniere Disease/complications , Vertigo/drug therapy , Administration, Oral , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Meniere Disease/diagnosis , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Probability , Reference Values , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment Outcome , Vertigo/diagnosis , Vertigo/etiology , Vestibular Function TestsABSTRACT
It was confirmed that the mitogenic reactivity and rosette-forming cells capacity of T and B lymphocytes were depressed in nose-pharyngeal tumor bearing patients. Using levamisole treatment, the response of T cells was increased till almost the normal value. B cells response was normal or slightly increased after levamisole treatment. Our experiments suggests that the levamisole is capable to induce an increased response of the immune system when compared to untreated tumor bearing patients.
