Probenecid reduces the amount of uric acid in your body by causing more uric acid to be passed out in your urine.

Probenecid is used to treat gout and gouty arthritis. Probenecid is also used to increase the effectiveness of some antibiotics.

Probenecid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Benemid (probenecid)?

To reduce the risk that kidney stones will form, drink at least 8 to 10 full glasses (8 ounces) of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you not to. Take probenecid with food or an antacid to lessen stomach upset. Do not take aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid), magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s), choline and magnesium salicylate (Trilisate), or other aspirin-like products unless your doctor approves. These products decrease the effects of probenecid. Taking one aspirin a day to reduce the risk of a heart attack is usually acceptable, if prescribed by your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Benemid (probenecid)?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have ever had an allergic reaction to probenecid,
• have kidney disease or poorly functioning kidneys,
• have kidney stones,
• have an ulcer in your stomach,
• have blood problems, or
• are on high-dose aspirin or salicylate therapy.

You may not be able to take probenecid, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Probenecid is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take probenecid without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether probenecid will harm a nursing baby. Do not take probenecid without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Probenecid is not approved for use by children younger than 2 years of age.

How should I take Benemid (probenecid)?

Take probenecid exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose of probenecid with a full glass of water. Also, to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation, drink at least 8 to 10 full glasses (8 ounces) of fluid every day, unless your doctor tells you not to. Take probenecid with food or with an antacid to lessen stomach upset. If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite is severe or persistent, consult your doctor. Store probenecid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a probenecid overdose include nausea, vomiting, seizures, and coma. An overdose of probenecid can result in death.

Benemid (probenecid) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking probenecid and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• blood in your urine or pain when you urinate; or
• a rash or hives.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take probenecid and talk to your doctor if you experience

• mild nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite;
• headache or dizziness;
• sore gums;
• flushing; or
• an acute gouty arthritis attack.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any reaction that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Benemid (probenecid)?

Do not take aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid), magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s), choline and magnesium salicylate (Trilisate), or other aspirin-like products unless your doctor approves. These products decrease the effects of probenecid. Taking, one aspirin a day to reduce the risk of a heart attack is usually acceptable, if prescribed by your doctor.

Probenecid may increase the effects of many other drugs by preventing their removal through the kidneys. This could lead to dangerous side effects. Before taking probenecid, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• acyclovir (Zovirax);
• allopurinol (Zyloprim);
• penicillamine (Cuprimine);
• clofibrate (Atromid-S);
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex);
• zidovudine (Retrovir);
• acetaminophen (Tylenol, many others);
• theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, Theolair, Theochron, others);
• dapsone;
• a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin, others), ampicillin (Principen, others), cephalexin (Keflex), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cefpodoxime (Vantin), cefixime (Suprax), and others;
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail, Orudis KT), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn);
• a sulfa-based medication such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), and others;
• an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), tolbutamide (Orinase), or tolazamide (Tolinase);
• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), and others; or
• a benzodiazepine (used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and to induce sleep) such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), oxazepam (Serax), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), quazepam (Doral), or triazolam (Halcion).

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with probenecid. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Benemid

Popularity: 4% [?]