The Side Effects of Thiamine Mononitrate

B-complex vitamins play a key role in your health and well-being. These nutrients regulate energy metabolism, glucose uptake, red blood cell formation and more. Vitamin B-1, or thiamine, is no exception; its role is to help your body convert dietary nutrients into energy 1. Some foods and supplements contain synthetic vitamin B-1 or thiamine mononitrate, which may cause mild adverse reactions 1.

Tips

Even though thiamine is generally safe, it may cause allergic reactions and mild side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking this supplement.

What Is Vitamin B-1?

This water-soluble vitamin supports energy production and optimum neural functioning 1. It also helps maintain the integrity and viability of your cells.

After ingestion, vitamin B-1 is absorbed into the blood from the gastrointestinal tract. Some of it is stored in the liver for up to 18 days. Your body's ability to store it is limited, so make sure you eat foods rich in this nutrient regularly.

Some foods, such as grains and breakfast cereals, are fortified with thiamine mononitrate.

The Role of Thiamine Mononitrate

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Over time, thiamine deficiency can lead to more serious disorders, such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and beriberi. The latter, for instance, causes pain, tingling, mental confusion, loss of muscle function, shortness of breath and other symptoms.cause:

• The latter
  
• for instance
  
• causes pain
  
• tingling
  
• mental confusion
  
• loss of muscle function
  
• shortness of breath
  
• other symptoms

If left unaddressed, it may result in memory loss and delusions 3.

Is Thiamine Mononitrate Safe?

Vitamin B-1 in its natural form is unlikely to cause any adverse reactions. Large doses may cause stomach upset, as Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center points out 6. The same source states that daily doses of 50 to 100 milligrams of thiamine in supplement form are safe — however, you should consult your doctor before using it.

If you consume too much thiamine, the excess will be eliminated in urine. Therefore, whether you're getting vitamin B-1 from food or supplements, it's unlikely to cause any side effects unless you take extremely high doses.

A 2018 randomized control trial published in Pilot and Feasibility Studies confirms that thiamine side effects are not a reason for concern 8. According to researchers, vitamin B-1 supplements are a safe and affordable treatment for older patients with heart failure.

Can Thiamine Cause Allergic Reactions?

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This vitamin may also cause:

• hives
  
• itching
  
• nausea
  
• tightness of the throat
  
• skin discoloration
  
• other adverse reactions

Additionally, it can have mild to moderate interactions with certain drugs, such as roxithromycin, erythromycin and azithromycin.