What are the potential side effects of thiamine (Vitamin B1) 100 mg daily for 2 weeks in patients with soft tissue injuries?

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Last updated: September 17, 2025View editorial policy

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Side Effects of Thiamine 100 mg Daily for 2 Weeks in Soft Tissue Injury

Thiamine (vitamin B1) 100 mg daily for 2 weeks is generally safe with minimal risk of side effects in patients with soft tissue injuries. 1

Safety Profile of Thiamine

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin with a favorable safety profile at the dose of 100 mg daily:

  • Excess thiamine is readily excreted in urine 2
  • No established upper limit for thiamine toxicity has been determined 2
  • 100 mg daily falls within the recommended maintenance dose range (50-100 mg/day) for patients with proven thiamine deficiency 2

Potential Side Effects

While rare at oral doses of 100 mg daily, potential side effects may include:

Common/Minor Side Effects

  • Generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects at this dose
  • Some patients may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort

Rare/Serious Side Effects

  • Hypersensitivity reactions (more common with repeated injections rather than oral administration) 1
    • Pruritus
    • Urticaria
    • Feeling of warmth
    • Restlessness

Important Considerations

  • Severe adverse reactions like anaphylaxis are extremely rare and typically associated with intravenous administration rather than oral dosing 1
  • Doses exceeding 400 mg (4 times higher than the proposed dose) may cause nausea, anorexia, and mild ataxia 2

Clinical Context for Soft Tissue Injuries

For patients with soft tissue injuries specifically:

  • No evidence suggests thiamine supplementation poses additional risks in this population
  • The proposed dose (100 mg daily) is well below levels associated with toxicity
  • The short duration (2 weeks) further minimizes risk of adverse effects

Monitoring Recommendations

While adverse effects are rare, clinicians should:

  • Be aware of the possibility of hypersensitivity reactions, especially in patients with previous adverse reactions to vitamins or supplements
  • Discontinue thiamine if any signs of allergic reaction occur
  • No special monitoring is required for most patients taking oral thiamine at this dose

Conclusion

The 100 mg daily dose of thiamine for 2 weeks represents a safe therapeutic approach with minimal risk of side effects in patients with soft tissue injuries. The water-soluble nature of thiamine means excess is readily excreted, contributing to its favorable safety profile at this dosage.

References

Guideline

Nutrition and Management of Wernicke's Encephalopathy and Korsakoff's Syndrome

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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