probenecid

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

What is probenecid?

Probenecid is used to treat gout and gouty arthritis. This medicine reduces the amount of uric acid in your body by causing it to be passed in your urine.

Probenecid is also sometimes given together with penicillin antibiotics (including ampicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, or nafcillin) to make them more effective.

Probenecid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

• uric acid kidney stones;
• a gout attack that has already started; or
• a blood cell disorder, such as anemia or low white blood cells.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• a stomach ulcer; or
• kidney stones.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take probenecid?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may be given other medications to also help prevent kidney stones. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently take probenecid. This medicine may affect your body's response to anesthesia.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort.

What should I avoid while taking probenecid?

What are the possible side effects of probenecid?

• worsening gout symptoms;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or swelling;
• painful or difficult urination;
• severe pain in your side or lower back;
• blood in your urine;
• urine that looks cloudy or foamy;
• puffy eyes, swelling in your ankles or feet, weight gain; or
• pale or yellowed skin.

Common side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• sore gums;
• urinating more than usual;
• itching, rash; or
• hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect probenecid?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol);
• lorazepam;
• methotrexate;
• rifampin;
• diabetes medicine you take by mouth;
• a sulfa drug; or
• an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as indomethacin, ketoprofen, meclofenamate, or naproxen (Aleve).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect probenecid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about probenecid.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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