What is Thiamine hydrochloride used for?

It is used to treat vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, including conditions like beriberi and Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Can Thiamine hydrochloride cause an allergic reaction?

Yes, some people may experience a life-threatening allergic reaction, especially after having multiple injections.

Is Thiamine hydrochloride safe during pregnancy?

It is thought to be safe because studies haven't shown an increased risk of fetal abnormalities, but it should only be used if necessary.

How is Thiamine hydrochloride administered?

It is given as an injection either into a muscle (IM) or slowly into a vein (IV).

What are the signs of a thiamine overdose?

The body typically handles excess thiamine by excreting it in the urine, and very high doses have been used without causing toxicity.

Why is Thiamine hydrochloride given with IV dextrose?

Giving dextrose to someone with low thiamine can cause heart failure, so thiamine is given to prevent this.

What should I do to prevent thiamine deficiency from returning?

You should maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet as advised by your healthcare provider.

Can Thiamine hydrochloride cause skin issues?

Yes, some people may experience itching, hives, or a feeling of warmth.

thiamine hydrochloride | CAS 67-03-8 | DPJRMOMPQZCRJU

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Vitamin (enzyme co-factor)

Thiamine hydrochloride is an injectable form of Vitamin B1 used to treat serious vitamin deficiencies like beriberi or Wernicke's encephalopathy. It is often used when a patient cannot take vitamins by mouth or needs rapid treatment.

How it worksThiamine acts as a coenzyme that helps the body process carbohydrates and turn them into energy.

Brand names:Thiamine Hydrochloride

Used for

Thiamine deficiencyBeriberi (dry or wet variety)Wernicke's encephalopathyInfantile beriberiCardiovascular disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiencySevere nausea or vomiting during pregnancy (neuritis of pregnancy)Preventing heart failure when giving IV dextrose to patients with low vitamin levels

Conditions

Thiamine deficiencyBeriberiWernicke-Korsakoff syndromeHyperemesis gravidarum

Class

VitaminB-VitaminCoenzymeVitamin (enzyme co-factor)Nervous systemCardiovascular system

How to take

FormsIntramuscular (IM) injection, Intravenous (IV) injection

RoutesInjection

For beriberi, the typical dose is 10 to 20 mg via injection three times a day for up to two weeks. For Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, an initial 100 mg IV dose may be followed by 50 to 100 mg daily via injection.

Wet beriberi with heart failure is an emergency and must be treated with slow IV injections. Patients should also focus on healthy eating habits to prevent the deficiency from returning. Always inspect the liquid for any particles or discoloration before use.

Key warnings

·Some people may have a life-threatening allergic reaction, especially after multiple injections.
·If treating 'wet' beriberi with heart failure, the drug must be given slowly through an IV.

Do not use if

·Do not use if you have a known allergy to thiamine or any other ingredients in this medicine.

Side effects

Common

Feeling of warmthItchingHivesWeaknessSweatingNauseaRestlessnessTenderness or hardness at the injection site

Serious

·Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
·Throat tightness
·Swelling (angioneurotic edema)
·Blue-tinted skin (cyanosis)
·Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
·Bleeding in the digestive tract
·Collapse or death

Seek help if

·Difficulty breathing or throat tightness
·Swelling of the face or throat
·Blue-tinted skin
·Severe nausea or bleeding in the gut

Interactions

·Dextrose (IV fluids) can trigger heart failure in people with low thiamine, so thiamine should be given alongside it.

FoodA well-balanced diet is recommended to prevent the deficiency from coming back.

Special populations

PregnancyThiamine hydrochloride is generally considered safe because studies haven't shown it increases the risk of birth defects, but it should only be used during pregnancy if clearly necessary.

PediatricUsed for infantile beriberi, but if a baby is collapsing, a cautious IV dose of 25 mg may be given.

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·Signs of allergic reaction like throat tightness or swelling
·Injection site tenderness
·Changes in skin color (cyanosis)

Questions to ask

·Am I at risk for thiamine deficiency?
·How will this injection affect my current vitamins?
·What dietary changes should I make to prevent relapse?

Pharmacokinetics

OnsetRapid absorption following IM administration

BioavailabilityRapid and complete absorption following IM administration

MetabolismMetabolism is rapid; excess is excreted in the urine.

ExcretionExcreted in the urine as pyrimidine when tissues are saturated.

Practical

OverdoseSingle doses of 100 to 500 mg have been used without toxic effects, but doses higher than 30 mg three times a day are not very effective. Excess thiamine is simply peed out by the body.

StorageThe drug is stable in a dry state and reasonably stable to heat in acid solution, but should be inspected for discoloration before use.

Ingredients

Inactive

chlorobutanol anhydrouswater for injection

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-25.