thiamine

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is important for helping you turn the food you eat into energy, which keeps your cells healthy and your body working properly. If you have low vitamin B1 (thiamine) levels, you can experience serious medical problems, such as trouble thinking clearly, nerve problems, and heart problems.

Check with your provider before starting any vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplements. Most people don't typically need a vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplement because they already get enough vitamin B1 (thiamine) from foods, such as whole grains, meat, fish, beans, and seeds. But if you do take in more vitamin B1 (thiamine) than the recommended daily amount, research suggests you're probably not going to experience toxicity, even with high doses. Your body will just get rid of any extra vitamin B1 (thiamine) you don't need through the urine because it's a water-soluble vitamin.

Yes, vitamin B1 (thiamine) is available as an injection by prescription. It's given through the veins (intravenous or IV) by a healthcare provider. It's typically used for people who can't take vitamin B1 (thiamine) by mouth (e.g., people receiving parenteral nutrition) or for people with severely low thiamine levels who need to raise their levels quickly to prevent serious medical conditions, including people with alcohol withdrawal.

Both vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B complex are supplements that are available over-the-counter and can be taken by mouth. The main difference is that vitamin B1 (thiamine) only contains one vitamin, whereas vitamin B complex contains multiple B vitamins. Ask your provider which supplement is best for you.