Benfotiamine
Scientific names: S-benzoylthiamine O-monophosphate
Alternate names: Benfothiamine, Benfotiamin
Actions: General, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Cognitive, Glycemic, Thiamine-replacement
Background
Benfotiamine is similar to thiamine (vitamin B1), but is absorbed by the body better than thiamine. The body changes benfotiamine to thiamine.
Since the body absorbs benfotiamine better than thiamine, benfotiamine can increase how much thiamine is in the body. This may help prevent or treat certain symptoms or diseases caused by low thiamine levels. Benfotiamine can be made by certain plants, such as garlic and onion. It can also be made in a lab.
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, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Since the body absorbs benfotiamine better than thiamine, benfotiamine can increase how much thiamine is in the body. This may help prevent or treat certain symptoms or diseases caused by low thiamine levels. Benfotiamine can be made by certain plants, such as garlic and onion. It can also be made in a lab.
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, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Benfotiamine is likely safe at doses of up to 600 mg daily for up to 24 weeks. Side effects are rare, but some people have reported stomach problems and skin rashes.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if benfotiamine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Nerve pain in people with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Taking benfotiamine by mouth, with or without vitamin B6 and B12, can improve pain and other symptoms of nerve damage caused by diabetes.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). Taking benfotiamine by mouth does not seem to improve markers of kidney damage in people with diabetes who have kidney disease.
Dosing & administration
Benfotiamine is most often used by adults in doses of 150-600 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Benfotiamine interacts with any medicines. Before taking Benfotiamine, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 19/02/2024 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
