Thiamine

Question 1

Class

Answer 1

Vitamin

Question 2

Mechanism of Action

Answer 2

 Required for carbohydrate metabolism.
 Deficiency leads to anemia, polyneuritis, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, cardiomyopathy.
 Administration may reverse symptoms of deficiency, but effects are dependent upon
duration of illness and severity of disease.

Question 3

Indications and field use

Answer 3

 Alcoholism, delirium tremens
 Coma of unknown origin, especially if alcohol or malnourishment may be involved.
 Suspect Wernicke or Korsakoff Syndrome
 Other thiamine deficiency syndromes
 Severe congestive heart failure

Question 4

Contraindications

Answer 4

Do not give intra-arterial

Question 5

Adverse Reactions

Answer 5

Hypotension (rare)

Nausea/Vomiting

Question 6

Incompatibilities/drug interactions

Answer 6

none

Question 7

Adult dose

Answer 7

100 mg

Question 8

Ped dose

Answer 8

rarely used

Question 9

routes of administration

Answer 9

IM

IV/IO over several minutes

Question 10

Onset of Action

Answer 10

hours

Question 11

peak effects

Answer 11

3-5 days

Question 12

duration of action

Answer 12

unavailable

Question 13

AZ drug minimum

Answer 13

100 mg

Question 14

special notes

Answer 14

 In the known alcoholic patient dextrose should not be administered without thiamine.
 Thiamine has been shown to be useful in severe congestive heart failure.