I think it's important to share infos for the benefit of us all. Here what I've found about benfotiamine.
I have researched into this benfotiamine supplement. From what I've read until now it should be a standard drug for diabetes prophylaxis.
It acts as an glycation/caramelization inhibitor by blocking at least the three most important pathways at a cellular level.
The main component of benfotiamine is thiamine, a vitamin from the B group. When absorbed, benfotiamine will, so to say, morph into thiamine and so do its work.
It prevents/reverses/eases retinophaty.
It blocks damage caused by hyperglycemia to the cells.
It is fat soluble and readily bioavailable.
It has been used for diabetic treatment in Germany since the early 90s.
It has no shown toxicity, even at high dosages.
The best price/content ratio for a product I've found so far, is that of Milgamma, but there are surely cheaper generic ones. But the others I've found as supplements seem to be more expensive.
If you know/find something cheaper, I would be glad to know about it...
The before mentioned product is available in 100, 150 and 300 mg per tablet.
If you buy a benfotiamine supplemet, make sure that you can get it in a high dosage per tablet. studies have shown that the more, the better
Here an interesting document about benfotiamine:
http://www.thorne.com/media/benfotiamine11-3.pdf