Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) for Alcoholism: Does it Help?

clinical-trial PMID: 23992649

Quick Summary: A study found that a form of Vitamin B1, called benfotiamine, might help women with severe alcohol dependence drink less. Both men and women in the study drank less alcohol overall, but the effect was stronger in women taking benfotiamine.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at how benfotiamine, a special type of Vitamin B1, affected people with severe alcohol dependence. They found that women taking benfotiamine significantly reduced their alcohol consumption compared to those taking a placebo (a sugar pill). Men in the study also drank less, but the difference between the benfotiamine and placebo groups wasn't as clear.

Study Details

Who was studied: 120 adults (average age 47) in the Kansas City area who were actively drinking and met the criteria for severe alcohol dependence.

How long: The study lasted for 24 weeks (about 6 months).

What they took: Participants took either 600mg of benfotiamine or a placebo pill once a day.

What This Means For You

If you're a woman struggling with alcohol dependence, this research suggests that benfotiamine might help you reduce your drinking. It's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements. This study shows promise, but it's not a cure, and it's not a replacement for professional treatment.

Study Limitations

Small Study Size: The study included a relatively small number of women, so more research is needed.

Self-Reported Drinking: Participants reported how much they drank, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

Short Duration: The study only lasted 6 months, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Men vs. Women: The study didn't fully explain why benfotiamine seemed to work better for women.

No Brain Scans: The study didn't look at how benfotiamine might affect the brain.

Not for Everyone: The results might not apply to people seeking treatment or those with less severe alcohol dependence.

Key Findings

Benfotiamine (600 mg/day) was well-tolerated in actively drinking individuals with severe alcohol dependence. While both benfotiamine (BF) and placebo (PL) groups showed reduced alcohol consumption over 24 weeks, BF-treated women had significantly greater decreases compared to PL-treated women (p=0.02). No significant differences were observed in men.

Study Design

Type: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Sample Size: 120 non-treatment-seeking adults (mean age=47 years; 21 women, 49 men) meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for alcohol dependence
Duration: 24 weeks of supplementation with 6 follow-up assessments at 4-week intervals
Population: Self-identified alcohol-dependent volunteers from Kansas City, USA, actively drinking at baseline

Dosage & Administration

Dose: 600 mg of benfotiamine or placebo once daily
Administration: Oral, daily supplementation for 24 weeks

Results & Efficacy

Completion Rates: 63% (37/60) for BF vs. 55% (33/60) for PL
Women:
9/10 BF-treated women reduced alcohol consumption within 1 month vs. 2/11 in PL group.
Total reduction over 6 months: BF (-611 ± 380 standard drinks) vs. PL (-159 ± 562 standard drinks), p=0.02.
Men: No significant between-group differences in alcohol consumption reduction.
Safety: No serious adverse events reported; both groups showed comparable tolerability.

Limitations

Small Sample Size: Only 21 women total (10 BF, 11 PL) and 49 men (27 BF, 22 PL) analyzed, limiting statistical power.
Self-Reported Data: Alcohol consumption was self-monitored, risking recall bias.
Short Duration: 24-week intervention may not capture long-term efficacy or relapse patterns.
Gender Disparity: No clear explanation for the lack of effect in men; potential biological or behavioral factors unexplored.
Lack of Mechanistic Insights: Study did not assess neurological or metabolic pathways linked to thiamine deficiency.
Population Specificity: Results may not generalize to treatment-seeking individuals or those with less severe dependence.

Clinical Relevance

This trial suggests benfotiamine supplementation may help women with severe alcohol dependence reduce alcohol consumption, though effects in men remain unclear. The absence of adverse events supports its safety profile in this population. Clinicians might consider BF as an adjunct to address nutritional deficiencies in alcoholism, particularly for female patients. However, larger trials with diverse demographics, longer follow-up, and objective biomarkers (e.g., thiamine levels, liver function) are needed to confirm these findings. For supplement users, this highlights a potential role for high-potency thiamine analogs in managing alcohol-related harm, but not as a standalone treatment.

Source: PubMed (2013)