Probenecid: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug is Probenecid?

What is Probenecid for?

Probenecid is a drug used to prevent gout and gout arthritis. This drug cannot treat a severe attack of gout and may even make it worse. Probenecid belongs to a class of drugs called uricosurics. It lowers the level of uric acid in the body by helping the kidneys get rid of uric acid. When uric acid levels are too high, crystals will form in the joints, causing uric acid. Lowering uric acid levels will also help your kidneys.

Probenecid is usually used with penicillin antibiotics (eg penicillin, ampicillin, nafcillin) to increase the blood level of the antibiotic. This increase will make the antibiotics work better at treating certain infections. Probenecid works by decreasing the ability of the kidneys to get rid of antibiotics from the body.

Probenecid should not be used for children younger than 2 years.

How do I use Probenecid?

To prevent gout, take this medication by mouth, usually 2 times a day with food or an antacid to reduce stomach upset, or as recommended by your doctor. It is better to drink it with a glass of water at each dose, and at least 8 glasses a day (8 ounces each) while you are taking this medicine, to prevent kidney stones. If you are on fluid restrictions, consult your doctor for further instructions. Your doctor may also instruct you on how to reduce the acidity of your urine (for example, by avoiding large amounts of ascorbic acid / vitamin C) to prevent kidney stones. Your doctor may also prescribe other drugs (eg sodium bicarbonate, citrate) to make your urine less acidic.

Dosage is based on your condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may ask you to take a lower dose first, then adjust the dose based on your uric acid level and your gout symptoms. After the symptoms have disappeared for a few months and your uric acid levels are normal, your doctor will lower your probenecid dose to the lowest effective dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Do not start Probenecid when you have a severe enough gout attack. Wait for the attack to end before taking this drug. You may experience an increase in gout attacks for several months after starting this medication, while your body makes excess uric acid. If you have a gout attack while on probenecid treatment, continue the treatment along with the medication to manage gout pain. Probenecid is not a pain reliever. To get rid of gout pain, continue your treatment specifically for gout pain relief (eg colchicine, ibuprofen, indomethacin) as recommended by your doctor. If you are taking this medication to increase the level of antibiotics in the body, follow your doctor's instructions about when to take the antibiotics and when to take probenecid. Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. Do not stop using this medication before consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.

How do I store Probenecid?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Probenecid dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Probenecid for adults?

Initial dose: 250 mg orally every 12 hours for 1 week.

Treatment: 500 mg orally every 12 hours.

The dose can be increased monthly in 500 mg increments until the serum uric acid level becomes normal. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 2 grams.

Since there is a risk of gout attack at the start of treatment, it is recommended that you take prophylactic colchicine or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the first 3-6 months of your probenecid treatment. In addition, patients should also drink about 2 liters of water per day to prevent uric acid stones from forming.

Adult Dose for Additional Antibiotic Therapy

1 g orally once for patients in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea with ampicillin or cefuroxime.

500 mg orally 4 times daily for 10-14 days for patients on neurosyphilis treatment with penicillin G procaine.

What is the dosage of Probenecid for children?

2 - 14 years:

Initial dose: 25 mg / kg orally as a single dose or 0.7 g / m2 orally as a single dose to prolong penicillin levels.

Treatment: 10 mg / kg / day orally or 1.2 g / m2 / day orally given in divided doses 4 times a day.

In what dosage is Probenecid available?

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Probenecid side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Probenecid?

Nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, vomiting, headache, sore gums, or urinating can often occur as your body adjusts to this medicine. If any of these side effects get worse or don't go away, tell your doctor right away.

Remember that the doctor prescribes this medication because he has already considered that the benefits of this drug outweigh the risk of side effects. Many people who take this drug have no serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if this serious but rare side effect occurs to you: lower back pain, difficult or painful urination, change in the amount or color of urine.

Tell your doctor right away if you experience these very serious but rare side effects: easy bruising / bleeding, signs of infection (fever, sore throat), severe stomach pain, pale stools, tired without cause, dark urine, eyes and skin yellow.

Serious allergic reactions to this drug are very rare. However, seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following serious allergy symptoms, including: skin rash, swelling and itching (especially of the face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Probenecid Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Probenecid?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Probenecid has been studied in children aged 2-14 years for use with antibiotics. As a result, there are no side effects that are different from those that may appear in adults. Research on the effect of probenecid in patients with gout has only been carried out in adults. Gout is very rare in children.

Elderly

Many drugs have never been studied specifically in the elderly. So it is not known whether this drug works as effectively as in younger people. There is no specific information comparing the use of probenecid in the elderly with patients of other ages.

Is Probenecid safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Probenecid Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Probenecid?

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Ketorolac

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Citalopram
• Deferiprone
• Doripenem
• Methotrexate
• Pegloticase
• Zalcitabine

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Amoxicillin
• Aspirin
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• Cefditoren Pivoxil
• Cefotaxime
• Cefpodoxime Proxetil
• Cefprozil
• Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
• Ciprofloxacin
• Enprofylline
• Ertapenem
• Gatifloxacin
• Lorazepam
• Magnesium Salicylate
• Meropenem
• Norfloxacin
• Phenprocoumon
• Piretanide
• Pralatrexate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sodium Thiosalicylate
• Zidovudine
• Zomepirac

Can food or alcohol interact with Probenecid?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Probenecid?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Blood disease or
• Cancer that is on the treatment of antineoplastics (cancer drugs) or radiation (x-rays) or
• History of kidney disease or kidney stones or
• History of gastric ulcers - The risk of side effects may increase.

Probenecid overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.