Benfotiamine

Benfotiamine is to be found everywhere in the lists of supplements which may or may not, have a beneficial effect on neuropathic problems. Along with Alpha Lipoic acid and Acetyl L-Carnitine, it is one of the products which is gaining popularity on the neuropathy forums; so what is it?
Basically, benfotiamine is a fat-soluble version of vitamin B1.
What does this mean? It means this new form of vitamin B1 can be taken orally in large dosages and it will not flush out of the body the way ordinary Thiamine (vitamin B1) does.
The result is that by taking Benfotiamine the blood stream levels of vitamin B1 can now be greatly increased, nutritionally supporting the body to rapidly and effectively decrease or eliminate the symptoms of Neuropathy.

However, before I post an article about it, it may be wise to bear the following in mind. Over-supplementing with certain vitamines and minerals may cause a harmful imbalance; especially with the B vitamin range. Talk to your doctor first. It's also a product that is widely 'sold' on the Net - all the normal warnings apply.

Benfotiamine and the skin.
Benfotiamine capsules can cause rashes and itching, especially on the arms and legs. If this occurs, you should stop taking the capsules immediately and check with your doctor.

Benfotiamine and the Stomach
Benfotiamine, if taken in high doses, can also cause an upset stomach.

Benfotiamine and Other B Vitamins
Long-term usage of Benfotiamine can also cause an imbalance of the other B vitamins in the body, so make sure that you take a B-complex vitamin as well to ensure you don't cause other deficiencies.

Benfotiamine and Pregnancy
It is important, if you are pregnant, to only take Benfotiamine if you have a vitamin B1 deficiency and to stop taking it once the deficiency is resolved. High levels of B vitamins can be unhealthy for a developing foetus.

Benfotiamine and Blood Pressure
Some people who take Benfotiamine capsules also experience a drop in their blood pressure readings over time.

What Is Benfotiamine?
Written By: Kathie Scheidler

Benfotiamine is a synthetic form of thiamine. It is also known as S-benzoylthiamine O-monophoshate. Benfotiamine is used to treat various neurological and vascular conditions, particularly in diabetics. It is also used as an anti-aging supplement.

This substance was developed in the late 1950s in Japan as a treatment for painful nerve conditions. In 1962, benfotiamine was patented in the United States. The supplement is derived from thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. Thiamine on its own works differently because it is not as fat-soluble, physiologically active or bioavailable.

Benfotiamine alleviates many health problems because of its function as an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals, the atoms or molecules that can cause cell damage. When an individual has cell damage, diseases and other medical issues can develop.

Many health problems associated with diabetes have been proven to be reduced or prevented through the use of benfotiamine. The supplement is commonly used for the nerve pain and numbness in the arms and legs known as peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, it is used for peripheral vascular disease, a condition that affects blood vessels in the extremities. Cardiovascular disease and kidney disease in diabetics also have shown to have great improvement with continued use of this supplement.
Benfotiamine usually can be purchased wherever vitamins or supplements are sold. A standard dosage of the supplement normally ranges from 100-250 milligrams daily. It has no reported side effects and is not believed to interfere with any medications. It is always best, however, for one to ask for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist when beginning a new drug or supplement regimen.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-benfotiamine.htm

Here's something found on a diabetes forum regarding dosages.Remember, persoanl opinion does not make it fact but these dosages are widely quoted on many sites on the web.

"So far the scientific community itself has not determined the therapeutic or toxic dose of benfotiamine. I have written to Prof. Roland Bitsch of the University of Jena in Germany, who did some of the original work on benfotiamine, and he thinks even a low dose, around 150 mg/day would be sufficient. I also wrote to Brownlee a long time ago, and his view then was already that 600 mg/day was likely to prove necessary. In Germany benfotiamine has been used for years to treat alcoholic neuritis in very large doses, involving thousands of mg. per day, with no ill effects noted. It has an astonishingly high LD50 level, which is how toxicity is measured, and since all it does is help concentrate vitamin B1 around the nerves and make it bioavailable for neurological nutrition, it should not be very toxic. No toxic effects of benfotiamine in clinical practice have ever been reported, and the product literature supplied with benfotiamine purchased from the Woerwag company says that "no side effects have as yet been reported," and in case of accidental overdose "no medical intervention is required." So my net guess is that it would be safe to take 600 mg/day."