September 16, 2020

REBEL Core Cast 40.0 – Wernicke Encephalopathy

Take Home Points

• Wernicke encephalopathy is characterized by ataxia, altered mental status and ophthalmoplegia but patients are unlikely to have all these components
• Suspect Wernicke encephalopathy in any patient that is at risk of malnutrition or malabsorption and has any one of the classic symptoms
• Prophylactic administration of thiamine 100 mg IV/IM to at risk patients can prevent development of the disease
• Once Wernicke encephalopathy has developed, it must be treated with high-dose, IV thiamine

REBEL Core Cast 40.0 – Wernicke Encephalopathy

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Anand Swaminathan

Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at St. Joe's Regional Medical Center (Paterson, NJ)

REBEL EM Associate Editor and Author

Latest posts by Anand Swaminathan (see all)

• REBEL Cast Ep86: Baloxavir for Influenza Prophylaxis - September 17, 2020
• REBEL Core Cast 40.0 – Wernicke Encephalopathy - September 16, 2020
• REBEL Core Cast 39.0 – Upper GI Bleed - September 2, 2020