BASIC INFORMATION
Brand names:
Thiamine-Hydrochloride Elixir
Betalin(R)
Bewon(R)
Betalin S(R)
Thiamine-Hydrochloride Tablets
Betalin S(R)
Biamine(R)
Pan-B-1(R)
Thiamine Hydrochloride(R)
Vitamin B1(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes, for injectable forms.
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Water-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Beef kidney
Beef liver
Brewer's yeast
Flour, rye and whole-wheat
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas), dried
Kidney beans, dried
Navy beans, dried
Pork
Rice bran
Rice, brown, raw
Salmon steak
Soybeans, dried
Sunflower seeds, dried
Wheat germ
Whole-grain products
REASONS TO USE
Keeps mucous membranes healthy. Maintains normal function of nervous system, muscles, heart. Aids in treatment of herpes zoster. Promotes normal growth and development. Treats beriberi (thiamine-deficiency disease). Replaces deficiency caused by alcoholism, cirrhosis, overactive thyroid, infection, breast-feeding, absorption diseases, pregnancy, prolonged diarrhea, burns.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Cures depression. Prevents fatigue. Is used as an insect repellent. If you take large amounts of thiamine by mouth, insects are repelled by unpleasant taste and odor of thiamine in perspiration. Treats motion sickness. Decreases pain. Improves appetite, digestion, mental alertness.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
People who abuse alcohol or other drugs. Alcoholics need more thiamine. Thiamine accelerates metabolism, using extra carbohydrates and calories from alcohol. Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements. Older people (over 55 years). Pregnant or breast-feeding women. People with a chronic wasting illness, especially diabetes, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery. People with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed. Those with recent severe burns or injuries. People with liver disease, overactive thyroid, prolonged diarrhea.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Normal deficiency:
Loss of appetite Fatigue Nausea Vomiting Mental problems, such as rolling of eyeballs, depression, memory loss, difficulty concentrating and dealing with details, personality changes, rapid heartbeat Gastrointestinal disorders Muscles become tender and atrophied Gross deficiency: Leads eventually to beriberi, which is rare, except in severely ill alcoholics Pain or tingling in arms or legs Decreased reflex activity Fluid accumulation in arms and legs Heart enlargement Constipation Nausea Vomiting
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Gastric hydrochloric acid lower than normal Nerve problems Skin problems Ulcerative colitis
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Transketolase function study on red blood cells Pyruvic-acid blood level 24-hour urine collection
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age | RDA |
| 0-6 months | 0.3mg |
| 6-12 months | 0.5mg |
| 1-3 years | 0.7mg |
| 4-6 years | 0.9mg |
| 7-10 years | 1.2mg |
| MALES |
| 11-18 years | 1.4mg |
| 19-22 years | 1.5mg |
| 23-50 years | 1.4mg |
| 51+ years | 1.2mg |
| FEMALES |
| 11-22 years | 1.1mg |
| 23+ years | 1.0mg |
| Pregnant | +0.4mg |
| Lactating | +0.5mg |
What this vitamin does:
Functions in combination with adenosine triphosphate to form co-enzyme necessary for converting carbohydrate into energy in muscles and nervous system. Miscellaneous information:
Cook foods in minimum amount of water or steam. Avoid high cooking temperatures and long heat exposure. Avoid using baking soda when you take thiamine unless it is used as a leavening agent in baked products. Thiamine is stable when frozen and stored. A balanced diet should provide enough thiamine for healthy people to make supplementation unnecessary. Best dietary sources of thiamine are whole-grain cereals and meat. Take at same time every day. If you forget a dose, take it when you remember it. Return to regular schedule. Time lapse before drug works: 15 minutes. Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Liquid: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass of water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to any B vitamin. Consult your doctor if you have:
Liver or kidney disease. Over age 55:
No problems expected. Pregnancy:
Consult doctor about supplements. Don't take megadoses. Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Consult doctor about supplements. Don't take megadoses. Effect on lab tests:
Interferes with results of serum theophylline. May produce false-positive results in tests for uric acid or urobilinogen. Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't freeze. Store safely out of reach of children. Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of vitamin. Others:
Most excess thiamine is excreted in urine if kidney function is normal.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Occasionally large doses of vitamin B-1 have caused
hypersensitive reactions resembling anaphylactic shock.
Several-hundred milligrams may cause drowsiness in some people.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below. For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect | What to do |
| Skin rash or itching (rare) | Discontinue. Call doctor |
| immediately. |
| Wheezing (more likely after | Seek emergency treatment. |
| intravenous dose) |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with | Combined effect |
| Drugs used to relax muscles | Produces excessive muscle |
| during surgery | relaxation. Tell your doctor |
| before surgery if you are |
| taking supplements. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental vitamin B-1. Alcohol reduces intestinal absorption of vitamin B-1, which is necessary to metabolize alcohol. Beverages
Carbonates and citrates (additives listed on many beverage labels) decrease thiamine effect. Foods
Carbonates and citrates (additives listed on many food labels) decrease thiamine effect.
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