Betaine Other names: Betaine hydrochloride Trimethylglycine

Based on in vitro data, betaine anhydrous might interact with amino acids mixtures and medicinal products containing vigabatrin and GABA analogues.

To minimise the risk of potential drug interactions, it is advisable to leave 30 minutes between the intake of betaine anhydrous and amino acids mixtures and/or medicinal products containing vigabatrin and GABA analogues.

Data on a limited number of exposed pregnancies indicate no adverse event of betaine anhydrous on pregnancy or on the health of the foetus/newborn child. To date, no other relevant epidemiologic data are available. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. During pregnancy, administering betaine anhydrous in addition to pyridoxine, folate, anticoagulant and diet under close monitoring of plasma homocysteine would be compatible with good maternal and foetal outcomes. However, betaine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

It is not known whether betaine anhydrous is excreted in human milk (although its metabolic precursor, choline, occurs at high levels in human milk). Because of lack of data, caution should be exercised when prescribing betaine to breast-feeding women.

Fertility

No data is available.

Betaine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Summary of the safety profile

In general, adverse reactions seen with betaine anhydrous therapy appeared to be not serious and are mainly related to the gastrointestinal system. Gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhoea, glossitis, nausea, stomach discomfort, vomiting and dental disorders may occur uncommonly.

The most commonly reported adverse reaction during treatment is blood methionine increased. Complete recovery was seen after treatment discontinuation.

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

Reported adverse reactions are listed below, by system organ class and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: 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). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Description of selected adverse reactions

^* Uncommon cases of severe cerebral oedema and hypermethioninemia were reported within 2 weeks to 6 months of starting betaine anhydrous therapy in patients with CBS deficiency, with complete recovery after treatment discontinuation.

Symptoms of cerebral oedema include morning headaches with vomiting and/or visual changes.

High increases in plasma methionine levels in a range from 1,000 to 3,000 µM were noted in these patients. As cerebral oedema has also been reported in patients with hypermethioninemia, secondary hypermethioninemia due to betaine anhydrous therapy has been postulated as a possible mechanism of action.