Probenecid (By mouth)
proe-BEN-e-sid
Lowers uric acid levels in your body to treat gout and gouty arthritis. Also helps some antibiotics work better.
Drug classes
Antigout (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Probenecid is used in the treatment of chronic gout or gouty arthritis. These conditions are caused by too much uric acid in the blood. The medicine works by removing the extra uric acid from the body. Probenecid does not cure gout, but after you have been taking it for a few months it will help prevent gout attacks. This medicine will help prevent gout attacks only as long as you continue to take it.
Probenecid is also used to prevent or treat other medical problems that may occur if too much uric acid is present in the body.
Probenecid is sometimes used with certain kinds of antibiotics to make them more effective in the treatment of infections.
Probenecid is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
This medicine does not treat a gout attack that is happening. The attacks should become shorter and less painful over several weeks or months.
Drink 10 to 12 full glasses of liquids each day unless your doctor tells you differently. This will help to prevent kidney stones.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how probenecid works. Tell your doctor if you also use any of the following:
Methotrexate Salicylate medicine, such as aspirin, topical medicine to treat pain, acne medicine, or medicine to treat diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting Penicillin, a sulfa drug, or a similar antibiotic Oral medicine for diabetes Sulindac Acetaminophen, indomethacin, naproxen, ketoprofen, meclofenamate Lorazepam RifampinWhen Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to probenecid.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney stones, a blood disorder, kidney disease, or a history of stomach ulcers.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Increased gout symptoms, when you first start treatment Kidney stonesTell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially if you are going to have general anesthesia.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blood in the urine, pain when urinating, back pain
Severe stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Dizziness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Benemid, Probalan
There may be other brand names for this medicine.