Registered Malawi · PMRA

R.B TONE COMBINATION PRODUCT CAPSULE

F/GLUCONATE, THIAMINE NITRATE,

PMPB/PL177/5 CAPSULE_ INN generic

What it does

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a nutrient that helps convert food into energy and supports the nervous system.

Commonly used for: thiamine deficiency, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, beriberi

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Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.

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Medicine sourcing is available in Kenya only. We don't sell or dispense medicines - licensed pharmacies do.

Sourcing - Kenya only

Registration & product details

Registration no.
PMPB/PL177/5
Registration date
17/12/2002
Expiry date
31/03/2022
Status
Registered
Active ingredient
F/GLUCONATE, THIAMINE NITRATE,
Dosage form
CAPSULE_
Strength
-
Pack size
-
Therapeutic class
-
Manufacturer / MAH
-
Applicant / LTR
-
Country of origin
-

Source: Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority · fetched 2026-04-21 17:37:38 · updated 2026-09-15 04:32:43

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (Malawi). Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any medication.

About this medicine

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a nutrient that helps convert food into energy and supports the nervous system.

What it treats

  • thiamine deficiency
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
  • beriberi

How it works

Thiamine helps the body use carbohydrates for energy and is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Who it's for

Thiamine is for people who have low levels of vitamin B1 or certain conditions that increase the need for it.

AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

Clinical monograph: Thiamine

BNF-referenced

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and plays a critical role in energy production. It acts as a coenzyme in several biochemical pathways, particularly in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and in the pentose phosphate pathway. Thiamine deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, beriberi, and other neurological disorders. Thiamine is found in various foods such as whole grains, legumes, nuts, and meat.

Indications

  • Vitamin B1 deficiency
  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
  • Beriberi
  • Isoniazid-induced neuropathy (prophylaxis and treatment)
  • Severe depletion or malabsorption of vitamins B and C

Dosage

Adults: For vitamin deficiency: 25–100 mg daily. For severe deficiency: 200–300 mg daily in divided doses. For

Mechanism of action

Thiamine functions primarily as a precursor for several phosphorylated active forms, which act as coenzymes in metabolic pathways. It reduces intracellular protein glycation by redirecting glycolytic flux and supports the synthesis of nucleic acids necessary for cell survival and proliferation. Additionally, thiamine has been shown to inhibit glucose-induced proliferation of endothelial cells, thus possibly playing a role in the modulation of vascular health.

Pharmacodynamics

Thiamine exhibits antioxidant properties and contributes to erythropoiesis, cognitive function, and mood regulation. It has protective effects against oxidative stress, particularly in neuronal tissues, where deficiency can lead to neuronal death due to increased free radical production. Thiamine also modulates glucose metabolism, influencing smooth muscle cell proliferation and potentially impacting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Pharmacokinetics

Thiamine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, primarily in the jejunum, and is distributed throughout the body, with higher concentrations found in the liver, heart, and brain. It is excreted in urine, and its half-life is relatively short. The vitamin is converted into active forms within tissues, including thiamine diphosphate (TDP), which is the coenzyme form involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The body does not store significant amounts of thiamine, making regular dietary intake essential.

Adverse effects

  • Allergic reactions
  • Anaphylaxis (rare)
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances

Precautions

  • Facilities for treating anaphylaxis should be available when parenteral thiamine is administered
  • Use with caution in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to thiamine

Pregnancy

Thiamine crosses the placenta but no adverse effects have been reported. Information regarding high doses is limited.

Breast-feeding

Severely thiamine-deficient mothers should avoid breast-feeding as thiamine is present in breast milk.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

Formulations

  • Thiamine hydrochloride 20 mg/ml oral solution
  • Thiamine hydrochloride 50 mg tablets
  • Thiamine hydrochloride 100 mg modified-release tablets
  • Thiamine hydrochloride oral suspension
BNF 85 (British National Formulary) p.1217 BNF for Children 2019-2020 p.672 PubChem / pathway

AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.

Clinical monograph: thiaminehydrochloride

Thiamine hydrochloride, also known as vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in carbohydrate metabolism and is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It is involved in the decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids and the hexose monophosphate shunt, which are vital processes for energy production from carbohydrates.

Indications

  • Thiamine deficiency
  • Wernicke's encephalopathy
  • Beriberi
  • Alcoholism-related complications
  • Certain metabolic disorders

Dosage

Children: Refer to BNF for Children for appropriate dosing information.

Adults: Refer to established clinical guidelines or BNF for specific dosing recommendations.

Mechanism of action

Thiamine is a coenzyme for several important enzymatic reactions, including the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. It is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy, facilitating the metabolism of glucose, and maintaining normal nerve function.

Pharmacodynamics

Thiamine deficiency leads to impaired carbohydrate metabolism, which can result in neurological and cardiovascular dysfunction. Supplementation with thiamine helps restore normal metabolic function and can alleviate symptoms associated with deficiency, such as Wernicke's encephalopathy and Beriberi. It also plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and in maintaining myelin integrity.

Pharmacokinetics

Thiamine is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma concentrations occurring within 1-2 hours after oral administration. It is distributed throughout the body, primarily in the liver, kidneys, and heart. Thiamine is metabolized in the liver to its active form, thiamine pyrophosphate. It has a biological half-life of about 9-18 days and is excreted primarily in the urine. Excess thiamine is excreted, making toxicity rare.

Adverse effects

  • Allergic reactions
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances

Interactions

  • May interact with certain diuretics, leading to altered thiamine levels

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with renal impairment
  • Monitor patients with a history of thiamine deficiency

Pregnancy

Thiamine is considered safe during pregnancy, as it is an essential nutrient.

Breast-feeding

Thiamine is excreted in breast milk, but supplementation is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Formulations

  • Thiamine hydrochloride injection
  • Thiamine hydrochloride oral tablets
  • Thiamine hydrochloride oral solution

AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.

Molecular reference: Thiamine

PubChem CID 1130

Molecular formula: C12H17N4OS+

Mechanism of action

It is thought that the mechanism of action of thiamine on endothelial cells is related to a reduction in intracellular protein glycation by redirecting the glycolytic flux. Thiamine is mainly the transport form of the vitamin, while the active forms are phosphorylated thiamine derivatives. Natural derivatives of thiamine phosphate, such as thiamine monophosphate (ThMP), thiamine diphosphate (ThDP), also sometimes called thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), thiamine triphosphate (ThTP), and thiamine triphosphate (AThTP), that act as coenzymes in addition to their each unique biological functions. Metabolic control analysis predicts that stimulators of transketolase enzyme synthesis such as thiamin (vitamin B-1) support a high rate of nucleic acid ribose synthesis necessary for tumor cell survival, chemotherapy resistance, and proliferation. Metabolic control analysis also predicts that transketolase inhibitor drugs will have the opposite effect on tumor cells. This may have important implications in the nutrition and future treatment of patients with cancer.

Pharmacodynamics

Thiamine is a vitamin with antioxidant, erythropoietic, cognition-and mood-modulatory, antiatherosclerotic, putative ergogenic, and detoxification activities. Thiamine has been found to protect against lead-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver and kidney. Thiamine deficiency results in selective neuronal death in animal models. The neuronal death is associated with increased free radical production, suggesting that oxidative stress may play an important early role in brain damage associated with thiamine deficiency. Thiamine plays a key role in intracellular glucose metabolism and it is thought that thiamine inhibits the effect of glucose and insulin on arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation. Inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation may also promote atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells in culture have been found to have a decreased proliferative rate and delayed migration in response to hyperglycemic conditions. Thiamine has been shown to inhibit this effect of glucose on endothelial cells.

Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.

This drug in other countries

The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.