thiamine

Generic Name: thiamine (vitamin B1) (THIGH a min)Brand names: Vitamin B1

What is thiamine?

Thiamine is vitamin B1. Vitamins are naturally occurring substances necessary for many processes in the body. Thiamine is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates (sugars) in the foods we eat into products needed by the body.

Thiamine is used to prevent and to treat deficiencies of thiamine.

Thiamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about thiamine?

Do not take more thiamine than is prescribed for you or than is directed on the package.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking thiamine?

Before taking thiamine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

Thiamine is in the FDA pregnancy category A. This means that thiamine is considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking thiamine if you are pregnant. It is not known whether thiamine passes into breast milk. Do not take thiamine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take thiamine?

Take thiamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not take more thiamine than is prescribed for you or than is directed on the package. Store thiamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Thiamine dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a thiamine overdose may include a feeling of warmth, weakness, sweating, nausea, restlessness, difficulty breathing, tightness of the throat, bluish colored skin, and death.

What should I avoid while taking thiamine?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking thiamine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Thiamine side effects

Stop taking thiamine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• a feeling of warmth;

• itching or hives;

• weakness;

• sweating;

• nausea; and

• restlessness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Thiamine Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Beriberi:

10 to 20 mg IM three times daily for up to 2 weeks. Thereafter, use an oral therapeutic multivitamin preparation containing 5 to 10 mg thiamine daily for one month. A complete and balanced diet should follow. Neuritis of pregnancy:If vomiting severe to preclude oral therapy, give 5 to 10 mg IM daily.'Wet' with myocardial failure:Treat as an emergency cardiac condition. Thiamine is administered slowly by the IV route.

Usual Adult Dose for Thiamine Deficiency:

If dextrose administered: to patients with marginal thiamine status, give 100 mg in each of the first few liters of IV fluid to avoid precipitating heart failure.

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

50 to 100 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Wernicke's Encephalopathy:

100 mg IV as an initial dose followed by 50 to 100 mg/day IM or IV until the patient is on a regular, balanced, diet.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Beriberi:

If collapse occurs: 25 mg IV. Administer with caution.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Thiamine Deficiency:

If dextrose administered: to patients with marginal thiamine status, give 100 mg in each of the first few liters of IV fluid to avoid precipitating heart failure.

What other drugs will affect thiamine?

It is not known whether other drugs will interact with thiamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about thiamine.

• Consultation with a licensed health care professional is advisable before using any herbal/health supplement. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Remember, keep this and all other prescription drug products, over-the-counter drug products, and herbal/health supplements out of the reach of children.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.05. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:40:05 PM.