BENOVAT 45MG TABLET belongs to a group of medications called ‘antioxidant’ used to treat Friedreich ataxia and Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Friedreich ataxia is a rare inherited disorder that causes difficulty walking and speech impairment. LHON is an eye disease that is an inherited genetic disorder. It occurs due to a defect in the genes that affect the cells in the eye responsible for producing energy to function normally.

BENOVAT 45MG TABLET contains ‘Idebenone’, which is a potent antioxidant. It acts by neutralising the free radicals, which cause damage to the tissues. It restores the ability of cells to produce energy. This effect provides the energy for the inactive cells to work normally, thereby improving lost vision in patients with LHON. It helps to reduce damage to the nervous system and the heart in Friedreich ataxia.

BENOVAT 45MG TABLET is available in the form of tablets. You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of BENOVAT 45MG TABLET are nasopharyngitis (cold), cough, diarrhoea, and back pain. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.

Do not take BENOVAT 45MG TABLET if you are allergic to Idebenone or any other contents present in it. Before taking BENOVAT 45MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have any blood-related disorders, or liver, or kidney problems. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may make your urine reddish-brown in colour; however, it is harmless. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET should not be used in children below 12 years of age. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may require dose adjustments in elderly patients. There is no sufficient data to prove the safe use of alcohol while taking BENOVAT 45MG TABLET, so please consult your doctor. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may not affect your ability to drive.

BENOVAT 45MG TABLET contains ‘Idebenone’, which is a potent antioxidant. It works by neutralizing the free radicals in the body that cause damage to the tissues. It can be well-tolerated in young and adult patients. It shows the best eyesight recovery when used in patients with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET can slow down damage to the nervous system in patients with Friedreich ataxia, thereby improving symptoms.

• Nasopharyngitis (cold)

• Cough

• Diarrhoea

• Back pain

BENOVAT 45MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with blood-related disorders, and liver, or kidney problems. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may cause a change in urine colour to reddish-brown. This effect is harmless and doesn’t require a change in dose or discontinuation of therapy. However, change in urine colour may also occur due to kidney or bladder problems. So, consult a doctor and do urine tests to rule out any kidney or bladder problems. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may advise you to check your eyesight before taking this medicine and during the treatment regularly. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET contains lactose, so inform your doctor if you have an intolerance to sugars. BENOVAT 45MG TABLET contains sunset yellow (a colourant), which may cause allergic reactions. 

Drug-Drug Interactions: BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may interact with medicines used to treat allergy (astemizole and terfenadine), a medicine used to treat heartburn (cisapride), a medicine used to treat muscle and speech tics associated with Tourette syndrome (pimozide), a medicine used to treat heart rhythm disorders (quinidine), a medicine used to treat migraine (dihydroergotamine and ergotamine), an anaesthetic (alfentanil), a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis (cyclosporine), medicines used to suppress immune systems (sirolimus and tacrolimus), and pain relievers (fentanyl).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: BENOVAT 45MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with blood-related disorders, liver disease, and kidney problems.

• ASTEMIZOLE
• TERFENADINE
• CISAPRIDE
• PIMOZIDE
• QUINIDINE
• DIHYDROERGOTAMINE
• ERGOTAMINE
• CYCLOSPORINE
• SIROLIMUS
• TACROLIMUS
• FENTANYL
• ALFENTANIL

• Eat a healthy diet. Avoid foods rich in fats, sugar, and processed foods as they may increase oxidative stress in the body and increase the damage the tissues.
• Try to stay active and exercise regularly. Shed excess weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Meditate regularly as it helps in easing the stress.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, as they can also increase oxidative stress in the body.

• BENOVAT 45MG TABLET may alter blood cell count in the body, so your doctor may recommend a complete blood count (CBC) test regularly while using this medicine. 
• Your doctor may advise you to undergo tests to evaluate liver function and eyesight while using this medicine. 

Friedreich ataxia: A rare inherited genetic disorder that occurs due to a defect in the gene labelled FXN. This genetic defect causes damage to the parts of the brain, spinal cord, and heart. It causes ataxia, an impairment in coordinating voluntary movements such as walking and speech. Hence, this condition leads to unsteady posture, difficulty walking, and slurred speech.  

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON): This condition is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the eye. It occurs due to a defect in the genes that affect the cells in the eye responsible for producing energy to perform its vital functions. This condition leads to the inactivity of cells, thereby causing loss of vision or eyesight. Vision problems start as blurring of the eye in both eyes simultaneously or sequentially, leading to permanent blindness.