Q: We prescribe Thiamine in alcohol withdrawal as it protects against delirium tremens (DTs)
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
Thiamine is recommended in alcoholic patients as it is useful in preventing Wernicke encephalopathy (triad of confusion, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia) and Korsakoff syndrome (consist of anterograde and retrograde amnesia, confabulation, lack of insight and apathy). But, thiamine has no effect on the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal or on the prevention of seizures or DTs.
Moreover, orally administered thiamine may have poor enteral absorption in alcoholic patients, so in the initial phase or in high-risk patients parenteral thiamine (100-250 mg once daily) should be prescribed.
