Other Brands/Names

Betamin, Betaneurin, Dellavit B1

How It Works

Vitamin B1, commonly known as thiamine, plays an essential role in helping the body convert nutrients into energy. It is crucial for cell growth, development, and function, and it also supports the proper functioning of nerves.

Indications

Thiamine is used as a supplement when the intake from the diet is not sufficient. People who are at greater risk of thiamine deficiency include:

• The elderly

• Individuals with alcohol dependency or addiction

• People living with HIV/AIDS

• Diabetic patients

• Those with impaired food absorption in the small intestine

• Individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery, a procedure to aid in weight loss by altering the digestive system

Diseases that may result from a lack of thiamine in the diet include:

• Beriberi: Symptoms include tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and poor reflexes.

• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: This syndrome is characterized by tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, memory loss, and confusion.

Contraindications

There are no known absolute contraindications for using vitamin B1. However, individuals with a history of allergic reactions to vitamin supplements should avoid taking thiamine.

Side Effects

Thiamine supplementation is generally well tolerated and considered safe. A study involving over 300,000 patients found no significant side effects. Some commonly reported side effects include:

• Nausea

• Urticaria (hives)

• Fatigue

• Irregular bowel movements

Types

• 10 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets

• 100 mg sugar-coated tablets

• 100 mg/ml ampoules (injectable form, available by prescription)

Dosage

Thiamine is naturally found in foods like cereal grains, legumes, and meat. The recommended daily intake for different groups is as follows:

• Children (0-1 years): 0.2 mg/day

• Children (2-5 years): 1.27 mg/day

• Children (6-11 years): 1.54 mg/day

• Adolescents (12-19 years): 1.68 mg/day

• Adult males: 1.95 mg/day

• Adult females: 1.39 mg/day

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: 1.4 mg/day

Safety

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

Thiamine is generally considered safe when taken as part of a balanced diet. However, there is insufficient information regarding the safety of higher doses during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Children 

Thiamine is safe when taken as part of a healthy diet. There is not enough data to determine if higher doses are safe or if any side effects may occur.

Drug Interactions

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that thiamine interacts with other medications.

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