Thiamine (vitamin B1)
High-dose IV thiamine before glucose in alcohol use or malnutrition to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy.
On this page
Dose
| Indication | Dose |
|---|---|
| Suspected Wernicke's encephalopathy | 200–500 mg IV three times daily for 3–5 days (or Pabrinex 2 pairs 3 times daily where available) |
| Prevention in alcohol use or malnutrition | 100–300 mg IV or orally daily |
| Oral maintenance | 100 mg 2–3 times daily |
Cautions
- Give before glucose in at-risk patients.
- IV preparations can rarely cause anaphylaxis; give slowly with resuscitation facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Why give thiamine before glucose?
Glucose can precipitate Wernicke's encephalopathy in thiamine-deficient patients.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.