Introduction
Benfotiamine is a lipid-soluble derivative of vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and is absorbed up to 3.6 times more than water-soluble forms. Benfotiamine is a lab-made version of vitamin B1( Thiamine). Benfotiamine is a synthetic, fat-soluble, S-acyl derivative of Thiamine (vitamin B1) that is approved in some countries as a medication or dietary supplement to treat diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Benfotiamine was developed in late 1950s in Japan.
Scientists are studying it to see if it might help conditions like diabetes-related nerve damage, Alzheimer's disease, and alcohol dependence. Early research into the potential benefits of benfotiamine has shown some promise.People use benfotiamine for nerve damage caused by diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). It is also used for alcohol use disorder, Alzheimer disease, arthritis, and other conditions.
Laboratory investigations and controlled studies have confirmed that benfotiamine alleviates and may even reverse diabetic neuropathy, kidney disease, cardiac impairment, endothelial dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetic retinopathy.
Benfotiamine is commonly taken at the oral dose of 300-600 mg over the course of the day, usually in two divided doses with meals (150 mg or 300 mg twice daily).Your provider may recommend you take benfotiamine for nerve pain or Alzheimer's disease, or another reason. However, consuming a supplement like benfotiamine may have potential side effects.
Altogether, vitamin B1 (Thiamine) plays a pivotal role in the process of nerve regeneration in nerve cells, it facilitates the usage of carbohydrates for energy production and protects them against oxidative stress, resulting in normalized pain sensation and reduced hyperexcitability.
Benfotiamine significantly increased glucose oxidation under normoglycemic (35 and 49% increase at 100 and 200 μM benfotiamine, respectively) as well as hyperglycemic conditions (70% increase at 200 μM benfotiamine). Benfotiamine also increased glucose uptake.
Oublished in journal "Tissue and Cell" found that benfotiamine supplement may be helpful in attenuating antibiotic-induced nephrotoxicity via the amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammation of renal tubular cells.
Benfotiamine is good for the liver:
Benfotiamine significantly improved liver injury histopathologically. These results suggest that antioxidant properties of benfotiamine may contribute to prevention of liver damage caused by MTX.Methotrexate(MTX) is a type of medicine called an immunosuppressant. It slows down your body's immune system and helps reduce inflammation. It is used to treat inflammatory conditions, including: rheumatoid arthritis.
Most vitamin B1 supplements contain Thiamine as the active ingredient. However, a derivative of thiamine known as benfotiamine can be taken instead because it is better absorbed by the body. Due to benfotiamine's higher solubility, it can be a better option in raising your vitamin B1 level.
Brand names of drug:
Benfotiamine is primarily marketed as an over-the-counter drug to treat diabetic polyneuropathy. A 2021 review described two clinical trials with positive results for diabetic polyneuropathy and concluded that more research is needed.
As of 2017, benfotiamine was marketed as a pharmaceutical drug in many countries under the following brand names:
Benalgis, Benfogamma, Benforce, Benfotiamina, Biotamin, Biotowa, Milgamma, and Vilotram. It was also marketed in some jurisdictions as a combination drug with cyanocobalamin as Milgamma, in combination with pyridoxine as Milgamma, in combination with metformin as Benforce-M, and with thiamine as Vitafos.
Adverse effects of Benfotiamine:
There is little published data on adverse effects. In one study of a combination of benfotiamine, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalamin, around 8% of people taking the drug experienced nausea, dizziness, stomach ache and weight gain.Side effects noted with Benfotiamine are skin irritation, allergic reactions, shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, feeling of discomfort, rash, itching, cough, decreased blood pressure, facial swelling, increased sweating, restlessness, weakness, and wheezing.
Pharmacology of Benfotiamine:
Benfotiamine is dephosphorylated to S-benzoylthiamine by ecto-alkaline phosphatases present in the intestinal mucosa, and is then hydrolyzed to thiamine by thioesterases in the liver. Benfotiamine is more bioavailable than thiamine salts, providing higher levels of thiamine in muscle, brain, liver, and kidney.
Benfotiamine mainly acts on peripheral tissues through an increase in transketolase activity.
Thiamin (thiamine), or vitamin B1, is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in some foods, added to foods, and sold as a supplement. Thiamin plays a vital role in the growth and function of various cells.Only small amounts are stored in the liver, so a daily intake of thiamin-rich foods is needed
They include fatigue, irritability, poor memory, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss. Eventually, a severe thiamin deficiency (beriberi) may develop, characterized by nerve, heart, and brain abnormalities.
When the amount of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine exceeds the normal levels in the body, it can cause hypertension or high blood pressure.
This article is focused on Benfotiamine,the derivative of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and it's uses.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
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