Posology
In the administration of thiamine, the condition of the patient and the extent of the disease need to be taken into consideration. A nutritional therapist should be consulted if uncertain. Thiamine is able to be administered via intramuscular and slow intravenous injection.
Treatment of Wernicke´ s encephalopathy associated with Alcohol addiction and/or alcohol withdrawal syndrome and prevention of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Treatment: 500 mg by intravenous route 3 times/day for at least 2 days (up to 1000 mg/dose during the first 12 hours may be used). In case of favourable response the treatment can be continued with 250 mg by intramuscular or intravenous route 1 time/day for 5 days or until there is no further improvement.
When administering intravenously thiamine should be diluted with 50ml to 100ml of physiological saline and administered over 30 minutes duration. This product should be used immediately upon dilution.
In the outpatient detoxification setting, the administration of a course of thiamine 250 mg intramuscularly for 5 days has been recommended over oral therapy. Clinical experience indicates that patients with WE may benefit from continued treatment for more than 2 weeks. In alcoholics without WE, oral thiamine administration is as effective as parenteral administration after 5 days.
Beriberi
Treatment: 10 mg to 25 mg/day by intramuscular injection or slow intravenous infusion for 2 weeks. IV doses of 100 mg/day or even higher may be needed in severe cases, for example 500 mg three times a day could be used.
Malabsorption due to gastrectomy
The standard recommendation for postoperative supplementation for thiamine in symptomatic patients is 50– 100 mg/day iv or im for 7-14 days and then 10 mg/day orally until complete recovery of neurologic symptoms.
The standard recommendation for daily oral supplementation after surgery in asymptomatic patients is 50- 100 mg/day.
Patients with a history of bariatric surgery who present with any signs of gastrointestinal distress should receive thiamine preventively.
Thiamine administration of 100 mg iv or im daily, or enterally if tolerated, has been suggested for any patient with more than 3-4 week of emesis.
Anorexia – refeeding syndrome
It is recommended that thiamine supplementation (100-300 mg/day) is given during the first 3 days in within the intensive care unit for all patients with suspected thiamine deficiency to prevent neurological adverse effects from too rapid glucose delivery.
Paediatric population
No data are available.