Betaine - oral

Unknown / Multiple | Betaine - oral (Medication)

Desc:

This medication is used to treat high levels of a certain important body chemical (homocysteine) due to an inherited disorder (homocystinuria). Decreasing high homocysteine levels may help prevent serious blood clots, abnormal bone formation, brittle bones (osteoporosis), and eye problems (e. g. , dislocated eye lens, nearsightedness). This medication works by decreasing blood levels of homocysteine. It does not correct the inherited disorder that causes the disease. ...

Side Effect:

Nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhea may occur. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Inform your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:persistent headache, vision changes. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. ...

Precaution:

Therapy with Betaine should be directed by physicians knowledgeable in the management of patients with homocystinuria.

Long-term carcinogenicity and fertility studies have not been conducted on betaine. No evidence of genotoxicity was demonstrated in the following tests:Metaphase Analysis of Human Lymphocytes; Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay; and Mouse Micronucleus Test.

It is also not known whether betaine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. It is not known whether betaine is passed into human milk (although its metabolic precursor, choline, occurs at high levels in human milk).

The majority of case studies of homocystinuria patients treated with betaine have been pediatric patients. The disorder, in its most severe form, can be manifested within the first months or years of life by lethargy, failure to thrive, developmental delays, seizures, or optic lens displacement. ...