Benfotiamine -- Does Anyone Here Use It?

[YouDontKnowCecil]

I would like to hear about people's use of benfotiamine, both HD and PD people.

[jeannea]

I had to look up what that was. Why are you using it? I take the vitamin they prescribe, NephroCaps. That is mostly B vitamins.

[mcclane]

I had to look up what that was. Why are you using it? I take the vitamin they prescribe, NephroCaps. That is mostly B vitamins.

x 2, except my doctor prescribed me replavite, but it is just vit b supplements.  from what I've heard, HD/PD patients take it because vit B is water soluble, so it is dialyzed out of the body (especially in HD).  When i was on PD, i only took one per day, on HD I am taking 2.

[YouDontKnowCecil]

I am not using it myself, I am asking for patient experiences using benfotiamine.

Basically, scientists have found benfotiamine to be an inhibitor of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs occur at higher rates in dialysis patients, they aren't sure of the exact mechanism as to why, though. They do know that it could be related to the oxidative stress from uremia. Another thing, is that dialysis isn't very good at getting rid of a large waste molecule called beta-2 microglobulin (B2M). B2M can interact with AGEs, and AGE-modified-B2M can potentially lead to dialysis related amyloidosis (DRA). The theory is that benfotiamine can help reduce the formation of AGEs, and with the reduction in the formation of AGEs, reduce the creation of AGE-modified-B2M, thus reducing the incidence of DRA.

You can do some Google or Scholar.Google searches. Key words would be: benfotiamine, advanced glycation end-products, beta-2 microglobulin, dialysis related amyloidosis

[RightSide]

Basically, the issue is Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs).  This is a class of toxins whose molecular weight is too big to enable these molecules to pass through the dialyzer membrane.  Hence hemodialysis does not do a good job of filtering out these toxins.  (Though a healthy kidney, being a lot smarter, does filter them out.)

Studies have shown that in patients on hemodialysis, the level of AGEs in the blood can be ten times that of a person with healthy kidneys.

In Europe, they have had success with using benfotiamine to speed the release of AGEs from the body.  AGE levels can fall as much as 40%.

I was taking benfotiamine regularly when I was on dialysis.  Now that I have a kidney transplant, I stopped. 

I posted about benfotiamine a couple of times a year ago or so--try searching for my posts.

[YouDontKnowCecil]

Basically, the issue is Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs).  This is a class of toxins whose molecular weight is too big to enable these molecules to pass through the dialyzer membrane.  Hence hemodialysis does not do a good job of filtering out these toxins.  (Though a healthy kidney, being a lot smarter, does filter them out.)

Studies have shown that in patients on hemodialysis, the level of AGEs in the blood can be ten times that of a person with healthy kidneys.

In Europe, they have had success with using benfotiamine to speed the release of AGEs from the body.  AGE levels can fall as much as 40%.

I was taking benfotiamine regularly when I was on dialysis.  Now that I have a kidney transplant, I stopped. 

I posted about benfotiamine a couple of times a year ago or so--try searching for my posts.

I saw your posts after a search. I see that you also took 150 mg as recommended by your dietician. Is there any brand or dosage you recommend?

[RightSide]

I saw your posts after a search. I see that you also took 150 mg as recommended by your dietician. Is there any brand or dosage you recommend?

I had bought Benfotiamine 150 mg capsules from Doctor's Best
http://www.drbvitamins.com/index.php

But I don't think it matters which brand you buy, unless you're allergic to one of the inert ingredients.

Eventually I had increased my dose to 300 mg/day (that's 2 of those 150 mg capsules per day).

But PLEASE don't take Benfotiamine or anything else on your own without discussing it with your doctor or dietician first!

[YouDontKnowCecil]

I had bought Benfotiamine 150 mg capsules from Doctor's Best
http://www.drbvitamins.com/index.php

But I don't think it matters which brand you buy, unless you're allergic to one of the inert ingredients.

Eventually I had increased my dose to 300 mg/day (that's 2 of those 150 mg capsules per day).

But PLEASE don't take Benfotiamine or anything else on your own without discussing it with your doctor or dietician first!

Thanks!