Brand : BENCID
(Probenecid, Benemid, Probalan)
GENERIC NAME: probenecid
BRAND NAME: Benemid
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM:
Probenecid acts on kidney tubules and increases
urinary excretion of uric acid, thus lowering blood uric acid levels.
It is helpful in treating patients with high uric acid levels (hyperuricemia)
associated with gouty arthritis attacks.
Probenecid also blocks the urinary excretion of penicillin and related
antibiotics, thus maintaining higher levels of the antibiotics in the
blood. It is a useful adjunct in increasing the effectiveness of penicillin
type antibiotics in treating certain infections, such as gonorrhea.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: tablets: 0.5g
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, sealed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR:
Probenecid is used for the treatment of hyperuricemia
associated with gout. It is also combined with penicillin and related
antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of the antibiotics in treating
infections, such as different forms of gonorrhea.
DOSING:
Should be taken with food. Increased urinary excretion of
uric acid can lead to the formation of uric acid kidney stones, especially
during periods of dehydration. Therefore, patients placed on long
term probenecid should consume liberal amounts of fluid to avoid kidney
stones.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Probenecid is avoided in patients with a history
of hypersensitivity to the medication, in children under 2 years
of age, and in patients with blood diseases or kidney stones. Probenecid
is avoided during acute gouty arthritis attacks because it can actually
make the arthritis worse. In patients with elevated uric acid levels,
treatment with probenecid is usually not initiated until after the
gouty arthritis is completely resolved. It is common to use colchicine
(a medication effective in treating gouty arthritis) in conjunction
with probenecid to avoid reactivation of the gouty arthritis.
Probenecid blocks urinary excretion, and thereby increases the blood
levels and action of many medications, such as Tylenol, Indocin, Naprosyn,
Ativan, Orudis, Rifadin, Meclomen, certain diabetes medications, and
anesthetic agents. The doses of these medications may need to be lowered
to avoid side effects and toxicity when used together with probenecid.
For example, patients receiving probenecid require significantly less
anesthesia drugs. Probenecid can increase the action of certain diabetes
medicines, such as Diabinese, resulting in abnormally low blood sugar
levels (hypoglycemia). In patients with existing kidney disease, using
penicillin and probenecid together can result in unusually high blood
penicillin levels, with resultant toxicity.
PREGNANCY: Probenecid is avoided in pregnant women.
SIDE EFFECTS:
