Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, plays a key role in the human metabolism. It is present in many dietary sources such as meats, eggs, fish, beans and peas, nuts, and whole grains. Upon administration thiamine is converted by thiamine pyrophosphokinase-1 (TPK1) to the active form, thiamine pyrophosphate, which serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in the TCA cycle and the non-oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway. The lack of thiamine may cause the thiamine deficiency. The classical syndrome caused primarily by thiamine deficiency in humans is beriberi, however, symptoms of thiamine deficiency also include congestive heart failure, metabolic acidosis, confusion, ataxia and seizures. Thiamine is a component of many vitamin complexes, which are approved for the treatmen and prevention of general vitamin deficiency, including the thiamine deficiency.

Beclotiamine (or chloroethyl thiamine) had been studied for veterinary and showed anticoccidial activity against Eimeria tenella, although metabolites and related substances were inactive. Information about the nowadays application of this compound is not available.

Monophosphothiamine is thiamine derivative used for the treatment of neuritis, polyneuritis, asthenic conditions (weakness), as an additional remedy for chronic blood circulation insufficiency, chronic gastritis accompanied by motor and secretory disorders functions of the stomach. Monophosphothiamine underwent metabolic phosphorylation to active metabolite thiamine pyrophosphate, that acts as a coenzyme in the different metabolic process.