Details

Probenecid helps your body pass uric acid out through the urine, which lowers the levels of uric acid in the body. Probenecid is used to treat gout and gouty arthritis. Probenecid is also sometimes given together with penicillin antibiotics to make them more effective. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to probenecid, or if you have uric acid kidney stones, a gout attack that has already started, or a blood cell disorder such as anaemia, or decreased white blood cells. Probenecid should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Probenecid may be harmful to an unborn baby.

Typical Uses

Probenecid is used to prevent gout and gouty arthritis. It will not treat a sudden/severe attack of gout and may make it worse. Probenecid belongs to a class of drugs known as uricosurics. It lowers high levels of uric acid in your body by helping the kidneys to get rid of uric acid. When uric acid levels get too high, crystals can form in the joints, causing gout. Lowering uric acid levels may also help your kidneys. Probenecid may be prescribed in combination with certain antibiotics (such as penicillin). It increases the levels of antibiotic in the blood, which helps the antibiotic work better.

Side Effects

Probenecid side effects may include worsening gout symptoms severe pain in your side or lower back blood in your urine swelling, especially in your face, stomach, ankles, or feet or pale or yellowed skin, dark coloured urine, fever, confusion or weakness.

Drug Interactions

• Probenecid+ketorolac- Using probenecid and ketorolac are not recommended. Taking these drugs together can cause symptoms of dizziness, excessive drowsiness, decreased urination, or blood in your urine or stools. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs.
• Probenecid+methotrexate- Using probenecid together with methotrexate can increase the methotrexate levels in your body. This can cause pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, black or bloody stools, and urinating less than usual or not at all. If you take both medications together, tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
• Probenecid+pegloticase- Using pegloticase together with probenecid is not recommended. Treatment with pegloticase requires monitoring of uric acid levels in the blood to reduce the risk of side effects such as allergic and infusion reactions, and probenecid can interfere with the monitoring. You should stop taking probenecid before your doctor begins treatment with pegloticase, and avoid taking it until the infusion is complete.

Mechanism of action

Probenecid belongs to a class of medications called uricosuric agents. It works by blocking the re-absorption (entry from urine back into the blood) of urates by the kidneys thereby increasing the excretion of uric acid and preventing deposition of urate crystals in the joints. It inhibits the elimination (excretion from blood into the urine) of certain antibiotics like penicillin by the kidneys thereby delaying its excretion and increasing concentration in the blood.

Pregnancy Category : C