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Betaine

Generic: BETAINE - BUFO BUFO CUTANEOUS GLAND - CALCIUM CARBONATE - CHROMIC SULFATE - CICUTA VIROSA ROOT - COPPER - FOLIC ACID - GOLD - COBALAMIN - IRON - LACHESIS MUTA VENOM - MELATONIN - MOLYBDENUM - NEUROTROPHIN-3 - NEUROTROPHIN-4 - OXYTOCIN - SILICON DIOXIDE - SUS SCROFA FRONTAL LOBE - SUS SCROFA TEMPORAL LOBE - THYROTROPIN ALFA - UBIDECARENONE - VANADIUM - ZINC - BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR HUMAN -

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Recordati
NDC
0713-0352
Route
ORAL
ICD-10 indication
E72.11

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About Betaine

What is this medication? Betaine is a prescription medication primarily used to treat a rare genetic condition known as homocystinuria. This disorder occurs when the body is unable to properly process certain amino acids, leading to an abnormal buildup of homocysteine in the blood and urine. High levels of this substance can cause serious health complications over time, including blood clots, bone abnormalities, and vision problems.

The medication works by providing a source of methyl groups that help convert homocysteine back into methionine, another amino acid. By lowering homocysteine levels, betaine helps reduce the risk of long-term damage to the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. It is typically used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may also include specific diets or vitamin supplements to manage the condition effectively.

Copay & patient assistance

  • Patient Copay Amount: Not Publicly Available
  • Maximum Annual Benefit Limit: Not Publicly Available
  • Core Eligibility Restrictions: Not Publicly Available
  • RxBIN, PCN, and Group numbers: Not Publicly Available

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Betaine. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Nov 4, 2022

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS & USAGE 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 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
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE & 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) 2.1 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 (1.9cc) 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.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None (4)
Warnings and precautions
5 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. (5.1) 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.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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)] . Most common adverse reactions (> 2%) are: nausea and gastrointestinal distress, based on physician survey (6.1). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-922-1038 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 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 psychological changes 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.
Use in pregnancy
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.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Betaine appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

66%

3,624 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 5

On 80% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

18%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 1 (preferred generic)47
16%
Tier 2 (generic)1
0%
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)7
2%
Tier 5 (specialty)231
80%
Tier 61
0%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 287 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

Related drugs

How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.

Rare-disease navigation (specialists, trials, patient communities)

Betaine treats 2 rare conditions. For in-depth disease pages on our sister site:

UniteRare.org is our sister site for rare-disease navigation — same editorial team, same accuracy standards.