Betaine is a chemical compound whose primary medical use is in the treatment of homocystinuria. It acts in preventing the build-up of an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood, which can contribute to cardiovascular diseases and induce a stroke. Although manufacturers of betaine medications use it as a standalone ingredient in drug formulations, it is also used in combination with other active ingredients such as octinoxate, pepsin, and many others. Betaine suppliers market the standalone formulations as oral powders, whereas mixture products are available as topical creams as well as oral tablets.