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Physicians treat beriberi by increasing the amount of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the patient’s body. Initial doses may be given intravenously (I.V.) or injected over seven days. Following that, thiamine is usually given as a pill until recovery is complete, usually several weeks. Additional supplements may be given to treat other diseases related to vitamin deficiency. When a breast-fed infant develops beriberi, both the mother and child will receive treatment to address the deficiency.

With treatment, symptoms may show rapid improvement in the first 12 hours. Most neurological symptoms are completely reversed and heart function normalizes in the first few days. Treatment will continue over several weeks, even after symptoms disappear. Over time, heart swelling and further damage can be controlled and may also be reversed. Memory problems may take months to respond and, depending on severity, recovery may be incomplete. Lack of treatment may result in permanent neurological damage or death.