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AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Thiamine(thye' a min)

Last reviewed: September 1, 2010.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Thiamine is a vitamin used by the body to break down sugars in the diet. The medication helps correct nerve and heart problems that occur when a person's diet does not contain enough thiamine.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Thiamine comes in tablets to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with meals. If you have a thiamine deficiency, your doctor may prescribe thiamine for 1 month or more. Follow the directions on your prescription label or package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take thiamine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Thiamine should be taken with meals. If you are taking an extended-release (long-acting) product, do not chew or crush the tablet. There are some tablets that can be crushed and mixed with food.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking thiamine,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to thiamine or any other drugs.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including other vitamins.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking thiamine, call your doctor.

  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking thiamine.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Your doctor may suggest that you eat more potatoes, whole-grain cereals and breads, meats (especially pork and liver), peas, beans, and nuts to increase the thiamine in your diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Thiamine tablets usually do not cause any side effects.

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to thiamine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Other names

  • Vitamin B1

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names of combination products

  • Dialyvite 800 (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, mecobalamin, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Dialyvite 800 with Iron (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Ferrous fumarate, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, mecobalamin, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Dialyvite 800 with Zinc 15 (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, ZINC CITRATE, mecobalamin, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Dialyvite 800 with Zinc 50 (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, ZINC CITRATE, mecobalamin, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Irospan Tablet (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Iron-Dextran Complex, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B 12, ferrous bisglycinate, formic acid, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Lactocal (containing Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous fumarate, Folic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc Sulfate, and pyridoxine)

  • Lipoflavovit (containing Ascorbic Acid, Bioflavonoids, Choline, Inositol, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B 12, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Nephrocaps QT (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Cholecalciferol, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B 12, and pyridoxine)

  • Prenatal Rx 1 (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Cupric oxide, Ferrous fumarate, Folic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, and Zinc Oxide)

  • Rena-Vite (containing Ascorbic Acid, D-BIOTIN, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin B 12, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

  • Vitabee with C (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacinamide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, pantothenate, and pyridoxine)

What works?

  • Insufficient evidence of efficacy of thiamine for the treatment of Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome Insufficient evidence of efficacy of thiamine for the treatment of Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome
    Alcohol abuse is an important but not an exclusive cause of Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome. Although WKS is reasonably well defined and known to cause significant mortality and morbidity, the optimal treatment strategy is not clear. The role of thiamine in treating some of the features of the WKS has been frequently recorded, but recommendations about dosage and duration of treatment are acknowledged to be arbitrary. Two studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, but only one contained sufficient data for quantitative analysis. This study had methodological shortcomings in design and the presentation of results that limited further analysis. There is therefore insufficient evidence from randomized controlled clinical trials to guide clinicians in the dose, frequency, route or duration of thiamine treatment for prophylaxis against or treatment of WKS due to alcohol abuse.
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Conditions of interest

  • Beriberi
    Beriberi is a disease in which the body does not have enough thiamine (vitamin B1).
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
    Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder due to thiamine deficiency.
  • Delirium
    Delirium is sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function that occur with physical or mental illness.
  • Alcoholic neuropathy
    Alcoholic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that results from excessive drinking of alcohol.
  • Fibrocystic breast disease
    Fibrocystic breast disease is a commonly used phrase to describe painful, lumpy breasts.
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