Betaine Anhydrous Prescribing Information
Package insert / product label
Dosage form: powder, for oral solution
Drug class: Nutraceutical products
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 22, 2023.
On This Page
Highlights of Prescribing Information
BETAINE ANHYDROUS FOR ORAL SOLUTION
Initial U.S. Approval: 1996
Indications and Usage for Betaine Anhydrous
(1)
(1)
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is a methylating agent indicated in pediatric and adult patients for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease elevated homocysteine blood concentrations. Included within the category of homocystinuria are:
• Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency
• 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency
• Cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl) defect
(1)
Betaine Anhydrous Dosage and Administration
Adults and Pediatric Patients 3 Years of Age and Older
• The recommended dosage is 6 grams per day, administered orally in divided doses of 3 grams twice daily. (2.1)
Pediatric Patients Less than 3 Years of Age
• The recommended starting dosage is 100 mg/kg/day, administered orally in divided doses of 50 mg/kg twice daily, and then increased weekly by 50 mg/kg increments. (2.1)
• Monitor patient response by plasma homocysteine concentrations. (2.1)
• Increase the dosage gradually until the plasma total homocysteine concentration is undetectable or present only in small amounts. (2.1)
Preparation and Administration Instructions
• Prescribed amount of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution should be measured with the measuring scoop provided and then dissolved in 4 to 6 ounces of water, juice, milk, or formula until completely dissolved, or mixed with food for immediate ingestion. (2.2)
(2)
Dosage Forms and Strengths
For oral solution: in bottles containing 180 grams of betaine anhydrous. (3)
Contraindications
None (4)
Warnings and Precautions
Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency:
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution may worsen elevated plasma methionine concentrations and cerebral edema has been reported. Monitor plasma methionine concentrations in patients with CBS deficiency. Keep plasma methionine concentrations below 1,000 micromol/L through dietary modification and, if necessary, a reduction of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution dosage.
(5)
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Revised: 4/2023
Related/similar drugs
betaine, Cystadane
Full Prescribing Information
1. Indications and Usage for Betaine Anhydrous
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is indicated for the treatment of homocystinuria to decrease
elevated homocysteine blood concentrations in pediatric and adult patients. Included within the
category of homocystinuria are:
• Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency
• 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency
• Cobalamin cofactor metabolism (cbl) defect
2. Betaine Anhydrous Dosage and Administration
2.1 Dosage
Therapy with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution should be directed by physicians
knowledgeable in the management of patients with homocystinuria.
Adults and Pediatric Patients 3 Years of Age and Older
The recommended dosage is 6 grams per day, administered orally in divided doses of 3 grams
twice daily.
Pediatric Patients Less than 3 Years of Age
The recommended starting dosage is 100 mg/kg/day divided in twice daily doses, and then
increased weekly by 50 mg/kg increments.
Monitoring
Monitor patient response to Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution by homocysteine plasma
concentration. Increase the dosage in all patients gradually until the plasma total homocysteine
concentration is undetectable or present only in small amounts. An initial response in
homocysteine plasma concentrations usually occurs within several days and steady state plasma
concentrations occur within a month.
Monitor plasma methionine concentrations in patients with CBS deficiency [
see Warnings and
Precautions (5.1)
].
Maximum Dosage
Dosages of up to 20 grams/day have been necessary to control homocysteine concentrations in
some patients. However, one pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vitro simulation study
indicated minimal benefit from exceeding a twice-daily dosing schedule and a 150 mg/kg/day
dosage for Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution.
2.2 Preparation and Administration Instructions
- Shake bottle lightly before removing cap.
- Measure the number of scoops for the patient's dose with the scoop provided. One level
scoop (1.5 cc) is equivalent to 1 gram of betaine anhydrous powder.
- Mix powder with 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 mL) of water, juice, milk, or formula until
completely dissolved, or mix with food, then ingest mixture immediately.
- Always replace the cap tightly after using and protect the bottle from moisture.
3. Dosage Forms and Strengths
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is a white, granular, hygroscopic powder for oral solution
available in bottles containing 180 grams of betaine anhydrous.
5. Warnings and Precautions
5.1 Hypermethioninemia in Patients with CBS Deficiency
Patients with homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency may also have
elevated plasma methionine concentrations. Treatment with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution
may further increase methionine concentrations due to the remethylation of homocysteine to
methionine. Cerebral edema has been reported in patients with hypermethioninemia, including
patients treated with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. Monitor
plasma methionine concentrations in patients with CBS deficiency. Plasma methionine
concentrations should be kept below 1,000 micromol/L through dietary modification and, if
necessary, a reduction of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution dosage.
6. Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:
• Hypermethioninemia and cerebral edema in patients with CBS deficiency [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.1)].
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates
observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of
another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The assessment of clinical adverse reactions is based on a survey study of 41 physicians, who
treated a total of 111 homocystinuria patients with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution. Adverse
reactions were retrospectively recalled and were not collected systematically in this open-label,
uncontrolled, physician survey. Thus, this list may not encompass all types of potential adverse
reactions, reliably estimate their frequency, or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The
following adverse reactions were reported (Table 1):
Table 1: Number of Patients with Adverse Reactions to Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution by Physician Survey
| Adverse Reactions | Number of Patients |
| Nausea | 2 |
| Gastrointestinal distress | 2 |
| Diarrhea | 1 |
| "Bad Taste" | 1 |
| "Caused Odor" | 1 |
| Questionable pyschological | 1 |
| "Aspirated the powder" | 1 |
6.2 Post-marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Betaine
Anhydrous for Oral Solution. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population
of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal
relationship to drug exposure.
Severe cerebral edema and hypermethioninemia have been reported within 2 weeks to 6 months
of starting Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution therapy, with complete recovery after
discontinuation of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution. All patients who developed cerebral
edema had homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency and had severe elevation in plasma methionine
concentrations (range 1,000 to 3,000 microM). As cerebral edema has also been reported in
patients with hypermethioninemia, secondary hypermethioninemia due to betaine therapy has been
postulated as a possible mechanism of action [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Other adverse reactions include: anorexia, agitation, depression, irritability, personality disorder,
sleep disturbed, dental disorders, diarrhea, glossitis, nausea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, hair
loss, hives, skin odor abnormalities, and urinary incontinence.
8. Use In Specific Populations
8.1 Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Available data from a limited number of published case reports and post-marketing experience
with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution use in pregnancy have not identified any drug associated
risks for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal
reproduction studies have not been conducted with betaine.
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population
is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse
outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and
miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
8.2 Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of betaine in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed
child, or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding
should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Betaine Anhydrous for Oral
Solution and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Betaine Anhydrous for Oral
Solution or from the underlying maternal condition.
8.4 Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution have been established in
pediatric patients. The majority of case studies of homocystinuria patients treated with Betaine
Anhydrous for Oral Solution have been pediatric patients, including patients ranging in age from
24 days to 17 years [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Children younger than 3 years of age may benefit
from dose titration [
see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
10. Overdosage
There is no information on Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution overdose in humans. In an acute
toxicology study in rats, death occurred frequently at doses equal to or greater than 10 g/kg.
11. Betaine Anhydrous Description
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is an agent for the treatment of homocystinuria. It contains
no ingredients other than anhydrous betaine. Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is a white,
granular, hygroscopic powder, which is diluted in water and administered orally. The chemical
name of betaine anhydrous powder is trimethylglycine. It has a molecular weight of 117.15. The
structural formula is:
12. Betaine Anhydrous - Clinical Pharmacology
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution acts as a methyl group donor in the remethylation of
homocysteine to methionine in patients with homocystinuria. Betaine occurs naturally in the body.
It is a metabolite of choline and is present in small amounts in foods such as beets, spinach, cereals,
and seafood.
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution was observed to lower plasma homocysteine concentration
in three types of homocystinuria, including CBS deficiency; MTHFR deficiency; and cbl defect.
Patients have taken Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution for many years without evidence of
tolerance. There has been no demonstrated correlation between Betaine concentration and
homocysteine concentration.
In CBS-deficient patients, large increases in methionine concentration over baseline have been
observed. Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution has also been demonstrated to increase low plasma
methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentration in patients with MTHFR deficiency
and cbl defect.
13. Nonclinical Toxicology
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Long-term carcinogenicity and fertility studies have not been conducted with Betaine Anhydrous
for Oral Solution. No evidence of genotoxicity was demonstrated in the following tests: metaphase
analysis of human lymphocytes; bacterial reverse mutation assay; and mouse micronucleus test.
14. Clinical Studies
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution was studied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover
study in 6 patients (3 males and 3 females) with CBS deficiency, ages 7 to 32 years at enrollment.
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution was administered at a dosage of 3 grams twice daily, for 12
months. Plasma homocystine concentration were significantly reduced (p<0.01) compared to
placebo. Plasma methionine concentrations were variable and not significantly different compared
to placebo.
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution has also been evaluated in observational studies without
concurrent controls in patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency, MTHFR deficiency,
or cbl defect. A review of 16 case studies and the randomized controlled trial previously described
was also conducted, and the data available for each study were summarized; however, no formal
statistical analyses were performed. The studies included a total of 78 male and female patients
with homocystinuria who were treated with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution. This included
48 patients with CBS deficiency, 13 with MTHFR deficiency, and 11 with cbl defect, ranging in
age from 24 days to 53 years. The majority of patients (n=48) received 6 gm/day, 3 patients
received less than 6 gm/day, 12 patients received doses from 6 to 15 gm/day, and 5 patients
received doses over 15 gm/day. Most patients were treated for more than 3 months (n=57) and 30
patients were treated for 1 year or longer (range 1 month to 11 years). Homocystine is formed
nonenzymatically from two molecules of homocysteine, and both have been used to evaluate the
effect of Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution in patients with homocystinuria. Plasma
homocystine or homocysteine concentrations were reported numerically for 62 patients, and 61 of
these patients showed decreases with Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution treatment.
Homocystine decreased by 83 to 88% regardless of the pre-treatment concentration, and
homocysteine decreased by 71 to 83%, regardless of the pre-treatment concentration. Clinical
improvement, such as improvement in seizures, or behavioral and cognitive functioning, was
reported by the treating physicians in about three-fourths of patients. Many of these patients were
also taking other therapies such as vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and folate
with variable biochemical responses. In most cases, adding Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution
resulted in a further reduction of either homocystine or homocysteine concentrations.
16. How is Betaine Anhydrous supplied
Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution is available in plastic bottles containing 180 grams of betaine
anhydrous as a white, granular, hygroscopic powder. Each bottle is equipped with a plastic childresistant
cap and is supplied with a polypropylene measuring scoop. One level scoop (1.5 cc) is
equal to 1 gram of betaine anhydrous powder.
NDC 71863-115-18 (180 g/bottle)
Storage
Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [
See USP
Controlled Room Temperature
].
Protect from moisture.
17. PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
Preparation and Administration Instructions
Instruct patients and caregivers to administer Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution as follows:
• Shake bottle lightly before removing cap.
• Measure the number of scoops for the patient’s dose with the scoop provided. One level
scoop (1.5 cc) is equivalent to 1 gram of betaine anhydrous powder.
• Mix powder with 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 mL) of water, juice, milk, or formula until
completely dissolved, or mix with food, then ingest mixture immediately.
• Always replace the cap tightly after using and protect the bottle from moisture.
Distributed by:
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Deer Park, IL 60010
Issued: 02/2023
| BETAINE ANHYDROUS
betaine anhydrous powder, for solution |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Labeler - Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (080870465) |
| Registrant - Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (080870465) |
| Establishment | |||
| Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amino GmbH | 507524424 | api manufacture(71863-115) | |
| Establishment | |||
| Name | Address | ID/FEI | Business Operations |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals | 968854286 | manufacture(71863-115) , pack(71863-115) | |
More about betaine
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: nutraceutical products
- En español