Wernicke encephalopathy / thiamine deficiency
- Give parenteral thiamine immediately when suspected
- Do not wait for a thiamine level
- Give before or with glucose in high-risk deficiency
- Replete magnesium if deficient
- Treat alcohol withdrawal/nutrition concurrently
- Ophthalmoplegia/ataxia/confusion triad is often incomplete
Use at a glance
- Give parenteral thiamine immediately when suspected
Practical pearls
- Treat alcohol withdrawal/nutrition concurrently
- Ophthalmoplegia/ataxia/confusion triad is often incomplete
Choosing treatment
- Replete magnesium if deficient
Safety / pitfalls
- Do not wait for a thiamine level
- Give before or with glucose in high-risk deficiency
Self-check
- What should be given immediately when Wernicke encephalopathy is suspected?
Parenteral thiamine.
- Should treatment wait for a thiamine level?
No.
Drugs used for this (1)
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