Betaine

Betaine is usually taken 2 times per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Betaine is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid before using it.

Gently shake the powder medicine bottle before measuring your dose. To get the correct dose, use the measuring scoop provided with this medicine.

Mix betaine powder with 4 to 6 ounces of water, juice, milk, infant formula, or soft food. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save for later use.

If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Betaine doses are based on weight in children, and any changes may affect your child's dose.

While using betaine, you may need frequent blood tests.

Betaine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include other vitamin and mineral supplements and a special diet. Follow your diet and medication routines very closely.

Store betaine powder at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Betaine is a prescription medication used to treat homocystinuria. Betaine belongs to a group of drugs called nutrients. These work by decreasing the amount of homocysteine in the blood.  

This medication comes in powder form to be mixed with food or drink and is usually taken twice a day.  

Common side effects of betaine include nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea.  

Cystadane (betaine) is a prescription medication used to treat homocystinuria. Homocystinuria is an inherited condition in which the body cannot break down a certain protein, causing a build-up of homocysteine in the blood.  Increased amounts of homocysteine can cause extreme tiredness, seizures, dislocation of the eye lens, bone problems, blood clots, decreased weight, and slowed development in children.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Betaine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Cystadane

Other drugs may interact with betaine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

In the U.S.

• Cystadane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Suspension
• Powder for Solution
• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Digestant

Betaine is used to treat a lack of or defect in certain enzymes that causes too much homocysteine in the blood and urine. betaine removes the extra homocysteine from the body.

betaine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For betaine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to betaine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

betaine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. However, children may require more frequent changes in their dose than adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of betaine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.